WISCONSIN — In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of timely screenings in fighting CRC, Guardant Health is working with healthcare providers throughout Wisconsin to expand access to its Shield blood test, the first and only blood test approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for CRC for average-risk individuals ages 45 and older.
The Shield test gives the more than 54 million Americans behind on their recommended screenings a quick, easy way to screen that fits their lifestyle and preferences by avoiding the inconvenience and discomfort associated with traditional screening methods, such as colonoscopy and stool-based tests.
Despite new innovations such as Shield helping to expand screening access and options for patients, significant awareness gaps remain. Survey data from The Harris Poll shows that approximately 90% of Americans consider learning about early detection survival rate, signs and symptoms of CRC and different screening options available to be motivating to getting screened for colorectal cancer.
CRC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Wisconsin and the second leading cause nationwide, though it’s highly treatable when caught early, with a 91 percent five-year survival rate for patients with early-stage, localized CRC. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that 2,680 Wisconsinites will develop and 880 will die from CRC, underscoring the need for more people to take action and get screened.
“CRC Awareness Month is an important reminder that screening saves lives,” said Sam Asgarian, MD, vice president of clinical development for screening at Guardant Health. “The Shield test offers Wisconsin patients a more comfortable, less invasive screening option that removes many of the obstacles that keep millions from getting screened. Shield makes it easier to take action on your health, because this month, and every month, the best test is the one that gets done.”
The American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. This March, healthcare providers across Wisconsin are ready to help eligible patients take that first step and get screened.
“Catching colorectal cancer early continues to be your best chance of survival, and with the Shield test, getting screened is easier than ever before,” said Milwaukee community activist Betty Speed. “I encourage everyone to talk to their doctors about colorectal cancer screening. Ask questions, learn your options, and choose the screening method that will work best for you and your lifestyle.”
The Shield test is intended for individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer, age 45 or older. For eligible patients in Wisconsin, it is offered by prescription through a doctor or other healthcare professional and can be completed during a routine visit. For complete product information about the Shield blood test, including full safety information, visit ShieldCancerScreen.com.
The Shield blood test is included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for colorectal cancer screening and is covered by Medicare, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Network (CCN), and, recently, TRICARE for active-duty service members.
About Shield
Shield is a methylation partitioning cell-free DNA (mp-cfDNA) non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.
About Guardant Health
Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.