Men’s Health Month is a time dedicated to raising awareness around preventable health conditions and encouraging men to prioritize routine care and early detection. Today, a new, FDA-approved blood test is making colorectal cancer (CRC) screening quick and easy for eligible men in Louisiana to stay up to date with their regular screenings.
Guardant Health, Inc., a trusted leader in bloodbased cancer tests for more than 10 years, is working with healthcare providers throughout Louisiana to expand access to its Shield blood test, the first and only blood test approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer for average-risk individuals, age 45 and older.
Just last week, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its guidelines recommending the Shield blood test as part of its updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines for patients who do not complete stool-based or visual examinations. The recognition of Shield in ACS guidelines as a more accessible option is a momentous step forward to address our nation’s persistent screening gaps and rising CRC rates in adults under 65, especially for men who have avoided or delayed their lifesaving screening.