FDA approves blood test for colorectal cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Guardant Health’s novel Shield blood test to detect colorectal cancer, according to an article by the Associated Press.

Providing a noninvasive screening option for the disease, the blood test can be taken by adult patients aged 45 years and older with an average risk of colorectal cancer. Findings have determined that the test can identify up to 83% of colorectal tumors but few precancerous lesions. However, the test’s accuracy is comparable to stool-based tests.

The FDA approval is expected to increase private and government insurance coverage for the test, which should help with increasing adherence to colorectal cancer screening. The test is not currently available but will launch in the near future.

Read more: Associated Press

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