A groundbreaking UCLA-led study is casting light on a quiet but crucial problem: while blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests are revolutionizing early detection, the next step—follow-up colonoscopy—may be falling through the cracks.
📊 The Numbers Raise Eyebrows:
Out of over 6,000 adults screened using Guardant Health’s Shield test, only 49% completed a follow-up colonoscopy within six months of an abnormal result. Even after two full years, only 56% had done so—leaving nearly half of potential CRC cases unconfirmed and untreated.🧠 Why It Matters:
Blood-based tests are being hailed as a game-changer for CRC screening—more convenient, non-invasive, and potentially more accessible than traditional stool tests or colonoscopies. But their power hinges on one thing: acting on abnormal results. Without the follow-up colonoscopy, the promise of early detection is lost.