
ACS Brings Blood Screening Into Colorectal Cancer Guidelines
ACS updates colorectal cancer screening guidelines to include a blood-based test (the Shield test) for average-risk adults 45+ who decline visual or stool tests; Shield detects tumor DNA in blood with about 83% sensitivity for cancer and is recommended every three years, but is less sensitive for precancerous polyps, so it is not the first choice. The update also adds at-home stool tests (Cologuard Plus, ColoSense) and maintains colonoscopy as the gold standard. The aim is to boost screening rates, especially among younger adults, with Medicare coverage offering no co-pay for Shield for many beneficiaries.













