How a Blood Test Could Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates

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A new survey conducted by The Harris Poll for Guardant Health highlights fear and anxiety as significant barriers to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. While CRC is highly treatable when caught in the early stages, more than three out of four patients who die from the disease are not up to date with their screening. In 2024, colon cancer was responsible for approximately 53,000 deaths in the U.S.

The results of the “Closing the Gap: CRC Screening Insights” survey, released during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, found that nearly one-third of patients feel anxious about traditional CRC screening methods like colonoscopies and stool tests. This fear has increased compared with the previous year (29% versus 22%, respectively), with 82% of gastroenterologists acknowledging that anxiety prevents patients from completing screenings. Nine out of 10 doctors report being concerned about the high percentage of patients who do not participate in CRC screening.

However, there is an encouraging alternative: the Shield blood test, which is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved blood test for primary CRC screening for adults aged 45 years and older at average risk of colon cancer. The test requires no preparation, no invasive procedures and no handling of stool and can be ordered by any health care provider.

“Offering patients the more pleasant, convenient option of a blood test has the potential to improve CRC screening rates and ultimately save more lives,” said Craig Eagle, M.D., Guardant Health’s chief medical officer.

The survey polled 1,000 American adults aged 45 to 84 years as well as 350 physicians (including 100 gastroenterologists).

Findings reveal that 93% of primary care providers believe patients are less likely to avoid or delay screening if offered a blood test, which aligns with 86% of Americans surveyed. Additionally, 92% of patients said they would feel more satisfied with their wellness visit if this test were available and 92% said they would be more likely to get a colonoscopy if they had a positive result on a preliminary blood screening.

More than 50 million eligible Americans (one out of three individuals) remain behind on CRC screening, despite the fact that CRC is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. This is often due to the belief that colonoscopies and stool tests are unpleasant and inconvenient. In fact, one in four patients surveyed said traditional screening methods do not make it easy to screen for cancer. The survey results emphasize the importance of increasing screening rates through more accessible options like the Shield blood test.