Blood testing is now included in screening recommendations for colon and rectal cancer

Summary: The American Cancer Society has a new recommendation for colon cancer screening: a simple blood test. Colonoscopies are still the best way to catch cancer early, but many people avoid them because they require a hospital visit and anesthesia. Others hate the idea of collecting their own poop for an at-home stool test.

Because so many people skip testing entirely, doctors now say the FDA-approved "Shield" blood test is a great backup plan for adults 45 and older. While the blood test isn't perfect and might miss early signs of precancerous polyps, doctors agree that getting a simple blood draw is much better than skipping your screening altogether!

Source: KSL URL: ksl.com/article/51503037/blood-testing-is-now-included-in-screening-recommendations-for-colon-and-rectal-cancer (opens in new tab)