A UCLA-led study published in Gastroenterology found that fewer than 50% of average-risk adults with abnormal results from Guardant Health’s Shield blood-based colorectal cancer screening test underwent a follow-up colonoscopy within 6 months. Overall, just 56% eventually completed colonoscopy, limiting the test’s effectiveness in cancer prevention. Insurance status mattered: patients with Medicare Advantage were significantly less likely to receive timely follow-up than those with private insurance. Researchers stressed that abnormal blood-based results still require colonoscopy and called for system-level improvements to boost compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Only 49% completed colonoscopy within 6 months of an abnormal result (mean time ~66 days).
- Insurance disparities: Medicare Advantage patients had lower follow-up odds (aOR 0.26).
- Rates matched FIT (~48%) but lagged behind FIT-DNA tests.
- No major racial/ethnic disparities found, but limitations included missing Medicare fee-for-service data.
- Patient education + stronger care pathways are essential to ensure blood-based CRC tests deliver full clinical benefit.