Blood Test Added to Colorectal Cancer Screening Options by Cancer Group

The American Cancer Society has added the FDA-approved Shield blood test to its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, aiming to increase screening uptake among the roughly one-third of Americans who are not current with screening guidelines.

The test, which detects tumor DNA fragments in blood, was shown to identify 83% of colorectal cancers but is less effective at detecting early-stage cancers and precancerous polyps than colonoscopy.

Experts emphasize that colonoscopy remains the most effective screening method; however, expanding screening options may help reach more eligible adults, particularly as colorectal cancer rates continue to rise among younger populations. Read more from NBC here.