What if you could get checked for colon cancer with only a routine blood draw? A new blood test in Michigan is making the process much easier.
No bowel prep, no sedation and no awkward stool kit to mail. The SHIELD test is now available in Michigan and aims to do just that.
SHIELD was approved last summer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after about five years of clinical testing.
READ: Screening test offers non-invasive at-home testing alternative to colonoscopy
How it works
A doctor must order SHIELD. After that, it’s just a blood draw. If your doctor’s office can’t do it, the company can send a phlebotomist to your home at no extra cost. The sample is sent to Guardant Health’s lab in California for analysis.
What it looks for
Dr. Sam Asgarian, vice president of clinical development at Guardant, says the test looks at the DNA present in the sample looking specifically for DNA that points to colorectal cancer. “It looks for tumor DNA,” he said. If that DNA is found, the test flags a positive result.
Getting results
You’ll get a secure link with your results by text. Your doctor gets a copy at the same time, so they can help with any next steps.
How accurate is it?
In company studies, SHIELD had an overall sensitivity of 83%. That means it found about 83% of the cancers in the research. In the study, it detected stages 2, 3 and 4 cancers at a rate of 100%.
Who should get it?
SHIELD is meant for average-risk adults 45 and older who have no symptoms or significant risk factors for colorectal cancer. If you have symptoms like bleeding or persistent pain or you have any risk factors for colon cancer you should have a colonoscopy.
If the SHIELD test is negative, you are considered clear for three years, after that you should return to your doctor for follow up screening recommendations. If the SHIELD test is positive, you’ll need a follow-up colonoscopy for a closer look.
Costs and coverage
Because SHIELD is FDA-approved, Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network cover it. At present, private insurance coverage is growing but isn’t yet consistent. If your doctor recommends the test, check with your insurer first.
How it compares to a colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is still the gold standard. It can find and remove precancerous growths during the same procedure, which no screening test can do. But for people who won’t get a colonoscopy, SHIELD is a much easier option and far better than skipping screening.
Click here for more information from Shield.