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According to a new study, an investigational blood test can reliably and efficiently identify colon cancer in middle-aged people and older adults.
To determine how well the blood test compares to colonoscopy, researchers compared the results.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving survival rates, and traditional screening methods like stool-based testing and colonoscopies have been essential in early diagnosis. However, a groundbreaking new blood test offers the potential for an easier and less invasive alternative.
Recent research presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco highlighted the promising accuracy of a blood test in detecting colorectal cancer. The study found that the blood test correctly identified colon cancer with 81 per cent accuracy in individuals who already had the disease. Additionally, it demonstrated a 90 per cent accuracy rate in ruling out cancer in healthy individuals, offering a reliable tool for screening.
Dr Aasma Shaukat, the lead researcher and gastroenterologist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasised that this blood test could help increase colon cancer screening rates. Currently, approximately 22 per cent of individuals eligible for colon cancer screening have not undergone it, with certain states reporting even higher rates of non-participation. Traditional methods like colonoscopy, while effective, are often uncomfortable and require anaesthesia, which may discourage some people from getting tested regularly.
The experimental blood test was tested on over 40,000 participants aged 45 to 85 across 200 locations in the U.S. The participants underwent blood collection followed by a routine colonoscopy, allowing researchers to compare the blood test’s accuracy to that of the gold standard, the colonoscopy.
Dr Pamela Kunz, Chief of GI Medical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine, described the blood test as a valuable new tool in colorectal cancer screening, though she said that it should be considered an additional option rather than a complete replacement for colonoscopy. The research results suggest that the blood test could offer a convenient and effective alternative for screening, especially for individuals with average risk.
While this development marks a significant advancement in the field, researchers plan to continue investigating the long-term implications and effectiveness of blood-based screening for colorectal cancer. Individuals must consult with their healthcare providers to determine the most suitable screening strategy based on their personal risk factors and health history.