Is the new colon cancer blood test the quick and easy alternative to a colonoscopy screening for colon cancer? The short answer is, unfortunately, not.
You may have seen recent headlines about a newly FDA-approved blood test for colon cancer detection, known as Shield. The test only requires a small blood sample and can be easily ordered by a primary care physician.
However, the blood test has serious limitations in detecting and preventing cancer and is not a replacement for colonoscopy or even a stool test.
What are the downsides of the blood test?
- The blood test is effective in detecting later-stage colon cancer, often too late for effective preventative treatment.
- Studies show that Shield misses 87% of precancerous polyp, where colonoscopy can detect and remove these polyps before they have a chance to develop into colon cancer. (source)
- Patients who opt for a blood test may still end up needing a colonoscopy. A positive blood test requires a colonoscopy to evaluate for polyps and cancer.
What colon cancer screening options do you recommend?
Colon cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 53,000 people die of colorectal cancer every year. Almost all those deaths are preventable. That’s why it is so important everyone get screened for colon cancer beginning at age 45.
The American Cancer Society, the US Preventive Services Task Force, the American Gastroenterology Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommend colonoscopy, the gold standard for colon cancer screening.
While any colon cancer screening is better than no screening, the data below shows the effectiveness of all the screening options for detecting advanced precancerous polyps that can lead to colon cancer:
- Colonoscopy: 91 to 100% accurate detection of advanced precancerous polyps (Source)
- Cologuard®: 42% accurate detection (Source)
- FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test): 23.8% accurate detection (Source)
- Blood test: 13% accurate detection (Source)
Why choose colonoscopy over other options?
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening because it is the most accurate test and the only screening test that prevents cancer by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous.
Schedule a screening today or refer your patient
Remember, 45 is the new 50 for colorectal cancer screening! We encourage everyone over age 45 to receive a screening colonoscopy. If you have a personal history of polyps, colon cancer, or family history of colon cancer, you are considered at an increased risk and may need to get screened even sooner.
If you are a referring provider, all patients who have had a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer should be referred for a colonoscopy instead of stool or blood testing given the increased risk of precancerous polyps.
Your health and early colon cancer detection are our top priorities
Putting off colon cancer screening could mean the difference between preventing colon cancer and a late-stage diagnosis. Click here to learn more about colonoscopies, what to expect, and to schedule your screening appointment at The Oregon Clinic.