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The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its The new blood test screens for tumor DNA, while the at-home tests look for DNA, RNA, and blood markers in stool samples.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The updated guidelines still retain ACS recommendations for starting colorectal cancer screening<\/a> at age 45 and having colonoscopies<\/a> done every 10 years for people who are at average risk of colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ACS officials said the new guidelines reflect advances in disease detection and a shift in public health strategy to expand screening options and lower barriers to access.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe need to increase our emphasis on colorectal cancer as a highly preventable disease as much as a treatable one,\u201d said \u201cBy offering more screening tools in our guideline update, more eligible adults will be able to participate in lifesaving colorectal cancer testing, helping to close the screening gap and catch more cancers at an earlier, treatable stage,\u201d Smith continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Experts not involved in the report told Healthline that providing more alternatives to colonoscopy is a good course of action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI definitely think that presenting more options is better,\u201d said Babak Firoozi<\/a>, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California. \u201cIt helps to have these available. It\u2019s important to increase the number of people who are being screened anyway we can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Anton Bilchik<\/a>, MD, a surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and the director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute in California, agreed. \u201cThere are so many people who don\u2019t have access or don\u2019t want to do a colonoscopy screening,\u201d he said. \u201cThis really will increase the number of people willing to get screened.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Two at-home stool sample tests are mentioned in the ACS report.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The first is an updated version of the DNA test sold under the brand name Cologuard<\/a>. This screening analyzes stool samples<\/a> for specific DNA markers and hemoglobin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The second is a new multi-target test sold under the brand name ColoSense<\/a>. This test analyzes stool samples for specific RNA markers and hemoglobin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to a news release<\/a>, both tests \u201cdemonstrate high sensitivity for colorectal cancer and moderate sensitivity for advanced precancerous lesions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They recommend these tests be conducted on people over the age of 45 with average risk every 3 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The report also lists one blood-based test. It\u2019s sold under the brand name Shield<\/a>. It was approved by federal regulators in 2024. This test is designed to detect tumor DNA in the blood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The report authors stated that blood tests are not as effective as other colorectal cancer screenings and are recommended only for people who decline or can\u2019t take other tests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They noted that any positive result from a stool-based or blood-based screening should be followed up with a colonoscopy within 6 months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The authors added that any screening is preferable to a patient not getting tested at all. \u201cThe most effective screening test is the one that the patient completes,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Other ACS guidelines for colorectal cancer screening remain unchanged.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Colonoscopies are still recommended for adults ages 45 and older with average colorectal cancer risk until age 75.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The guidelines recommend that people at higher risk be screened more often. Those at higher risk include people with:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Firoozi said colonoscopies<\/a> are the \u201cgold standard\u201d and the best way to detect colorectal cancer in its early stages when it is more easily treated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, he agreed that people should get screened in any way they can. \u201cThe screenings reduce the risk of getting cancer and dying of cancer,\u201d Firozzi said. \u201cScreening is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bilchik said that blood and stool-based tests are easier to administer, less expensive, and don\u2019t require the unpleasant bowel preparation<\/a> required for colonoscopies. \u201cThese are viable alternatives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n According to the ACS, colorectal cancer<\/a> is the third most common and second deadliest cancer in the United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s estimated that nearly 160,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer<\/a> in 2026. An estimated 55,000 will die from the disease this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Colorectal cancer is now listed<\/a> as the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women under the age of 50 in the United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Concerns have been raised in recent years over the increasing rate<\/a> of colorectal cancer in adults ages 20 to 49 in the United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Factors that may be influencing colorectal cancer risk in younger adults include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to However, they added that about 1 in 3 U.S. adults<\/a> eligible for colorectal cancer screenings have not been tested as recommended. That adds up to about 20 million people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cNo matter which test you choose, what\u2019s most important is to get screened and that includes underserved, rural, and minority populations,\u201d said \u201cThese changes were developed to add to the colorectal cancer screening arsenal and help ensure preventive cancer care is available to all,\u201d Dahut said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are various symptoms<\/a> associated with colorectal cancer, such as:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Firoozi noted that many of these symptoms occur when the cancer is no longer in its early stages. \u201cDon\u2019t wait for the symptoms,\u201d he advised. \u201cGet screened before you have them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Firoozi said he advises patients to adopt a diet low in red and processed meats, eating \u201cfish and fowl\u201d instead. He recommended filling your plate with high fiber<\/a> and low fat foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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