Blood Test Included Among Options for Detecting Colorectal Cancer
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
For the first time, a blood test has been added to the list of colorectal cancer screening tests recommended by the American Cancer Society. It is not intended to replace colonoscopies but to reach individuals who might otherwise not get tested. "About one-third of Americans are not up to date with colorectal cancer screening," said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. Incorporating a new type of test could "drastically increase" the number of people undergoing colorectal cancer screening, which is the leading cause of cancer death in individuals under 50 in the country, he noted. The blood test, called Shield, from California-based Guardant Health, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024. It works by detecting fragments of DNA released by cancerous tumors. The American Cancer Society recommends it only for those who cannot or do not want to undergo more effective screening tests, such as colonoscopy or stool tests.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
