New blood test shows promising results for detecting colon cancer
Newsy
Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women under the age of 50.
A new blood-based test for colorectal cancer currently up for FDA review could mean cheaper and less invasive screenings for the disease.
Doctors and advocates have been waiting for years for a new blood-based DNA test for colon cancer. Promising results released by the New England Journal of Medicine show the promise of a cell-free DNA test from Silicon Valley company Guardant Health, called Shield.
In a study of more than 7,800 colon cancer patients, the new test from Guardant Health was able to detect the cancer with 83% sensitivity.
“The idea of a blood-based test is something they’re used to having done. And that can be done as part of their routine medical care, I think that will encourage more people to be screened, which I think is good news,” said Dr. William L. Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society.
The hope is for a colon cancer blood test sensitive enough to meet requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers to cover. It comes as more colorectal surgeons say they are caring for younger patients, even in their 20s and 30s.
