Men’s Health Awareness Month: New Screening Options Make Colorectal Cancer Detection Easier

Men’s Health Awareness Month: New Screening Options Make Colorectal Cancer Detection Easier

November is Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important reminder for men to prioritize preventive care, including colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with incidence rates 32% higher than in women. Yet many men delay screening because of discomfort, stigma or inconvenience.

The good news is that new screening options are making early detection easier.

Guardant Health‘s FDA-approved Shield blood test offers eligible adults a convenient alternative that can be completed with a simple blood draw during a routine doctor’s visit. When colorectal cancer is detected early, the five-year relative survival rate is 91%. Men should talk with their healthcare providers about screening options and which test is right for them.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) begins in the colon or rectum. Leading health organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society, recommend screening for adults 45 and older with average risk and no symptoms. The goal of screening is simple: detect cancer early and reduce mortality.

Several CRC screening modalities are available. No colorectal cancer screening test is perfect. Each test has different sensitivity. Since CRC often develops without symptoms in its early stages, regular screening offers the best chance of finding it when treatment is most effective.

For more information on the Shield Blood Test go to their website HERE – and discuss the new test with your physician.