Key Points:
- A recent study published in Gastroenterology compared the effectiveness and cost of blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests with recommended strategies such as colonoscopy or stool-based tests.
- The study found that blood-based CRC screening tests were less effective and more costly compared to recommended strategies. Specifically, the study evaluated the effectiveness of two blood-based tests: a multi-analyte test (Septin 9) and a single-analyte test (ColoVantage).
- When compared to colonoscopy, blood-based CRC screening tests were less effective in detecting CRC and advanced adenomas. Additionally, blood-based tests were associated with higher costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained compared to colonoscopy.
- The study also assessed the cost-effectiveness of blood-based CRC screening tests compared to stool-based tests such as fecal immunochemical testing (FIT). Blood-based tests were found to be less cost-effective than FIT, as they were associated with higher costs per additional case of CRC detected and higher costs per QALY gained.