Guardant Health, Inc., a leading precision oncology company, announced the results of a new survey showing patients and physicians overwhelmingly agree that blood-based testing could help close the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening gap by offering a more pleasant and convenient option.
Conducted by The Harris Poll, the ‘Closing the Gap: CRC Screening Insights’ survey was commissioned by Guardant Health to better understand perceptions and attitudes impacting CRC screening adherence and the role of emerging technologies such as blood-based screening. The survey polled 1,000 American adults age 45-84, along with 351 physicians (250 primary care providers and 101 gastroenterologists).
In the United States, CRC screening guidelines recommend that all people of average risk begin screening starting at age 45. However, more than 50 million eligible Americans (42.6%) are not up to date with recommended screenings,1 often because they find current screening options unpleasant and inconvenient.
“Ninety percent of eligible Americans surveyed said they would be more likely to stay up to date with colorectal cancer screening if there were a blood test option, and the vast majority of physicians surveyed agreed,” said Craig Eagle, M.D., Guardant Health chief medical officer. “These survey results suggest the current screening gap could be closed with blood-based options like our Shield™ test, which could significantly increase screening adherence rates, leading to saved lives.”
“Although existing screening methods are effective when completed, there still are challenges around access and equity, especially among minority and other underserved communities. It is particularly alarming that almost a third of Americans are aware they are behind in screening, indicating an urgent need to spur them to action,” said Michael Sapienza, chief executive officer of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “Providing options is necessary to increase the number of eligible adults receiving routine lifesaving screening for colorectal cancer, which is among the most treatable types of cancer when found early.”
‘Closing the Gap: CRC Screening Insights’ Survey Findings
- Perceptions of existing screening methods hinder completion
Among individuals who have not been screened, the perception that preparation for a colonoscopy is unpleasant was the most common barrier cited (47%) to completing a screening test. Other top barriers included concern around discomfort or pain during a colonoscopy (42%) or fear or anxiety around the screening process (35%).
- Eligible Americans would be more likely to get screened with a blood test
90% of eligible Americans would be more likely to stay up to date with screening if there were a blood test option, citing quicker, easier and more pleasant options (89%) as top motivators to complete recommended screening. Notably, 84% of people of color said convenient access to screening tests would motivate them to get screened compared to 75% of their white peers, further highlighting the role that blood testing could play in helping address existing screening disparities.
- Physicians agree an FDA-approved blood test could help close the screening gap
Similarly, primary care providers (97%) and gastroenterologists (91%) agree their patients would be more likely to stay up to date with screening if they had the option of a blood test, noting that they would anticipate a corresponding increase in compliance in that situation (98% and 97%, respectively). Ultimately, 96% of all physicians surveyed would recommend an FDA-approved blood test to their patients for CRC screening.
- A disconnect exists between screening awareness and adherence
Almost a third (30%) of screening-eligible Americans are aware they are not up to date with recommended CRC screening, suggesting that barriers associated with existing screening methods are impacting adherence. A more concerning finding is that over a quarter (26%) mistakenly think they are up to date, despite never having been screened.
- Educating around the importance of early detection could help
CRC is most treatable if caught early, with a 5-year survival rate of 91% for people with early stage, localized disease.2 However, 70% of surveyed Americans were unaware of this, with significantly more people of color (78%) unaware compared to their white peers (66%). This highlights an important opportunity for greater education to further motivate eligible Americans, particularly among underserved communities.
SOURCE: BusinessWire
