Blood-based Tests Show Promise For Colorectal Cancer Screening But Follow-up Challenges Persist

Findings

A study led by investigators astatine the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that while blood-based tests connection a much convenient action for colorectal crab screening, only 49% of patients completed a follow-up colonoscopy wrong six months, and conscionable 56% did truthful astatine immoderate constituent during nan two-year study period. Follow-up colonoscopy is simply a captious adjacent measurement to corroborate nan beingness of colorectal crab aliases pre-cancer aft an abnormal screening result. These follow-up rates are comparable to those observed pinch stool-based screening tests, but stay acold beneath optimal levels needed for timely crab discovery and treatment.

The squad besides recovered that individuals pinch Medicare Advantage were importantly little apt to complete follow-up colonoscopy compared to those pinch backstage insurance, and that having less wellness conditions accrued nan likelihood of timely follow-up. Unlike anterior studies of stool-based screening, title and ethnicity were not important predictors of follow-up completion successful this cohort.

Background

Colorectal crab is nan 2nd starring origin of cancer-related deaths successful nan U.S. among men and women combined, and regular screening tin prevention lives by detecting it early. While accepted tests, specified arsenic colonoscopy aliases stool-based tests, are effective, galore individuals do not get screened owed to barriers specified arsenic fear, constricted access, aliases challenges pinch trial preparation. Blood-based screening tests connection a non-invasive, much convenient replacement for patients not amenable to nan preferred colonoscopy aliases stool-based screening tests. However, to guarantee these tests genuinely little crab rates and prevention lives, it is important to understand really often patients travel done pinch colonoscopy-a cardinal 2nd measurement aft an abnormal result.

Method

Researchers conducted a retrospective study utilizing aesculapian claims information from complete 6,000 individuals aged 45 and older who received a blood-based colorectal crab screening test, called Shield (Guardant Health), betwixt 2022 and 2024. The study focused connected nan 452 individuals who received an abnormal consequence and examined really galore completed a follow-up colonoscopy wrong six months.

Impact

This study provides important real-world information connected follow-up colonoscopy rates aft abnormal results from blood-based colorectal crab screening. Timely follow-up is captious because it enables early discovery and curen of colorectal cancer.

Blood-based colorectal crab screening is promising, but it only useful if individuals complete nan follow-up colonoscopy. More efforts are needed to thief patients travel done to really diagnose and dainty nan disease."

Dr. Folasade May, subordinate professor of medicine astatine the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and elder writer of nan study

Journal

The study was published successful nan diary Gastroenterology. 

Authors

The study's first writer is Dr. Timothy Zaki, a elder gastroenterology chap astatine UCLA Health. The study's elder writer is Dr. Folasade May, subordinate professor of medicine astatine nan David Geffen School of Medicine astatine UCLA, subordinate head of nan UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, and personnel of nan UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The remaining authors see Nicole Zhang, Dr. Shaun Forbes, Victoria Raymond and Dr. Amar Das from Guardant Health.