In a bid to close persistent colorectal cancer (CRC) screening gaps, Guardant Health has launched a community grant program offering up to 100 free Shield blood-based screening tests per organization during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March.
FDA-approved for average-risk adults aged 45 and older, Shield uses methylation-based cfDNA analysis to detect colorectal cancer–associated alterations from a simple blood draw—potentially overcoming participation barriers tied to stool-based or invasive screening methods.
The initiative is aimed at underserved and historically under-screened populations, enabling nonprofits and public health groups to host local screening drives and educational outreach events at no cost to patients. As blood-based CRC screening continues to gain clinical and commercial traction, programs like this may play a key role in expanding early detection beyond traditional care settings—though positive results will still require follow-up colonoscopy for diagnostic confirmation.