Trending Now - Blood Tests Now Recommended for Colorectal Cancer Screening
WHO:
NBC News - The American Cancer Society is involved in the updated screening guidelines for colorectal cancer.
CNN - Dr. William Dahut is the chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society.
CNN - Dr. Ursina Teitelbaum is a professor of gastrointestinal oncology at the University of Pennsylvania.
CNN - Dr. Scott Kopetz is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
CNN - AmirAli Talasaz is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Guardant Health.
WHAT:
NBC News - The updated guideline reaffirms that average-risk adults should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 and continue through 75 for those with a life expectancy of more than 10 years, while discouraging screening in people older than 85.
CNN - The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends starting screening at age 45 but does not include blood-based testing as a recommended screening test.
NBC News - It’s estimated that colorectal cancer has surpassed other cancer types to become the leading cause of cancer deaths among people under 50 in the United States, as of 2023.
CNN - The updated guideline recommends blood-based screening tests for adults age 45 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer and who have not completed or have declined visual exams and stool tests.
NBC News - The Shield test is a Medicare-covered service, with $0 co-pay for most Medicare beneficiaries, and has a list price of around $1,495.
CNN - The updated guideline reaffirms that average-risk adults should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 and continue through 75 for those with a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
CNN - It’s estimated that more than 90% of people complete screening when they have a blood-based test for colorectal cancer, compared with 28% to 71% of people who complete colonoscopy or stool testing.
NBC News - It’s estimated that more than 60% of colorectal cancer patients under 50 are diagnosed after the disease has advanced to stage III or IV.
NBC News - A blood test has been added to the American Cancer Society’s recommended screenings for colorectal cancer.
CNN - The Shield test detects tumor DNA in blood with 83% sensitivity for colorectal cancer.
CNN - One in three eligible adults has not been screened for colorectal cancer.
CNN - The Shield test was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2024.
CNN - The guideline includes additional stool-based tests: Cologuard Plus and ColoSense.
CNN - The Shield test is recommended every three years for colorectal cancer screening.
WHERE:
CNN - The American Cancer Society is a national organization based in the United States.
WHEN:
CNN - The updated guideline was released on a Wednesday (exact date not specified).
CNN - The Shield test was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2024.
WHY:
NBC News - The American Cancer Society aims to broaden the capture of screening, particularly in younger vulnerable populations, as colorectal cancer cases rise among individuals under 50.
CNN - The American Cancer Society aims to close the gap in screening for colorectal cancer, especially as cases rise among younger populations.
NBC News - The blood test is intended to help catch cancers in individuals who might not get screened otherwise.
CNN - The American Cancer Society aims to close the gap in screening for colorectal cancer, especially as cases rise among younger populations.
HOW:
CNN - The American Cancer Society has been reviewing its screening guidelines and continues to look at data to evaluate whether the recommended age to start screening should be lower than 45, with a possibility of lowering it to 40 or 42 if evidence supports it.
CNN - The American Cancer Society has been reviewing its screening guidelines and continues to look at data to evaluate whether the recommended age to start screening should be lower than 45.
CNN - Blood-based tests, like the Shield test, involve having blood drawn at a healthcare facility.
CNN - The Shield test detects signals for colorectal cancer from tumor DNA that may have shed into the blood.
CNN - Visual exams, including colonoscopies, involve using medical instruments to look inside the colon and rectum.
CNN - Stool-based screening involves collecting a sample of feces and sending it to a lab for testing.
(UPDATED May 27, 2026 23:22 UTC)
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its guidelines, recommending that average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 and continue through age 75 for those with a life expectancy of more than 10 years, while advising against screening for individuals older than 85. Colorectal cancer has now become the leading cause of cancer deaths among people under 50 in the United States, prompting the American Cancer Society to broaden screening efforts, particularly for younger populations. They are currently reviewing their guidelines and may consider lowering the recommended screening age to 40 or 42 if future evidence supports such a change.
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(UPDATED May 27, 2026 19:46 UTC)
The American Cancer Society has updated its guidelines to recommend blood-based screening tests for adults aged 45 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer and have not completed visual exams or stool tests. This new approach is expected to significantly increase screening rates, as over 90% of people tend to complete blood-based tests, compared to only 28% to 71% for traditional methods like colonoscopy or stool testing. Additionally, the Shield test, which is covered by Medicare with no co-pay for most beneficiaries, has a list price of around $1,495, aiming to address the rising incidence of colorectal cancer, especially among younger populations.
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(UPDATED May 27, 2026 18:05 UTC)
The American Cancer Society has updated its screening guidelines for colorectal cancer, now including a blood test called the Shield test, which detects tumor DNA in blood with 83% sensitivity. This test, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2024, is recommended every three years and aims to improve screening rates, particularly among the one in three eligible adults who have not yet been screened. Alongside the Shield test, the guidelines also feature additional stool-based tests like Cologuard Plus and ColoSense, as the organization seeks to address rising colorectal cancer cases, especially in younger populations.