Oregon health providers urge caution in using new blood test for colon cancer (KOIN)

After the FDA approved a new blood test called Shield for detecting colon cancer, health providers in Oregon are cautioning that this test should not replace a colonoscopy. While Shield can detect late-stage colon cancer, specialists warn that by that stage, the disease may require more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or surgery, and the chances of curing it are reduced. In contrast, a colonoscopy can identify and remove pre-cancerous polyps during the procedure, offering a more effective means of preventing colon cancer.