The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Shield blood test for colon cancer screening in adults 45 and older with an average risk of colon cancer. The test, developed by Guardant, looks for DNA fragments shed by tumor cells and precancerous growths. It caught 83% of cancers in a study, but missed 17%. The test is not a replacement for colonoscopies but provides a noninvasive screening option. The annual rate of colon cancer screening in the US is currently around 60%, below the 80% goal set by the American Cancer Society.
A recent study has found that cancer rates are increasing among Gen X and millennials. Specifically, the study revealed that colorectal cancer rates are rising in people under the age of 50. The study analyzed data from 1974 to 2013 and highlighted the need for earlier screening. The American Cancer Society currently recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45, but the study suggests that earlier screening could help reduce cancer rates in younger people.
The increase in cancer rates among younger generations is attributed to lifestyle factors such as obesity and sedentary behavior. The study emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, in addition to earlier screening, to help combat the rising cancer rates. The approval of the Shield blood test by the FDA provides a noninvasive screening option for colon cancer in adults aged 45 and older, but it is crucial to address the increasing cancer rates among Gen X and millennials as well.
In conclusion, the approval of the Shield blood test for colon cancer screening is a significant development for adults aged 45 and older. However, the recent study's findings about increasing cancer rates among Gen X and millennials highlight the need for earlier screening and lifestyle changes to combat this concerning trend. [384557ad] [d3c4a747]