Did you know colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it's caught in its early stages, yet one in three American adults are not up to date with recommended screening? This means more than 50 million Americans age 45 and older may miss the chance to catch CRC early, when survival rates are as high as 91%. Instead, they may not know they have CRC until it's in late stages, when the chance of survival can plummet to 16%.
Studies show that people at average risk for colon cancer often avoid screening because they think traditional screening options, such as colonoscopies and stool-based tests, are unpleasant or inconvenient. But alternative options, like a simple blood test, may help more people get screened.
Like many Americans, Elissa Brown, a 61-year-old college counseling advisor, was facing this problem. After a loved one was diagnosed with colon cancer, Brown learned firsthand how critical it is to stay up to date with screenings but still had concerns about traditional options being inconvenient or unpleasant.
"I knew how important it is to get checked for colon cancer, but seeing the impact of the disease reinforced how critical screening truly is for everyone," said Brown. "That's why I prioritized talking to my doctor about screening and learning about the different options available."
At her next OB-GYN appointment, Brown asked about CRC screening. While she had used a stool-based test previously, this visit taught her about an alternate approach - Shield, a new blood test that offered a more pleasant screening option for people age 45 and older and at average risk for colon cancer. The test only required a simple blood draw during a routine doctor visit.
Brown decided Shield was the best option for her. She was also confident that she was using a screening method recommended by her OB-GYN's practice and backed by study results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
After a quick blood draw, Brown received her results about two weeks later, giving her the peace of mind of knowing she not only had a negative result but was also up to date with her screening for colon cancer.
"I was nervous about getting screened for colon cancer, but Shield helped eliminate those fears," she said. "The best part is the test didn't require any preparation or downtime - just a quick blood draw - which is important to me because my life is very busy."
The Shield test is covered by Medicare, so those with Medicare Part B will have no out-of-pocket cost; if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have a copay. Once Shield is included in clinical screening guidelines, many commercial insurance providers are expected to cover it as well.
"I'm so glad I didn't let the stress of a colonoscopy or the 'ick' factor of stool tests stop me from taking care of my health," said Brown. "Early detection can save your life and now the Shield blood test makes screening so easy. It just makes sense to get it done and know your status."