Colorectal most cancers has been within the information so much these days, and rightfully so. On one hand, charges are dropping in older adults thanks to higher screening. However on the opposite, extra youthful people are growing the illness, and consultants aren’t certain why. One factor is evident, although: A whole lot of adults who ought to get screened for colorectal most cancers simply…aren’t. The truth is, about 50 million individuals ages 45 and older aren’t updated with their beneficial screening, in accordance with the American Most cancers Society.

A brand new sort of screening technique, nonetheless—one which doesn’t contain scooping poop right into a cup (gross) or a process that requires common anesthesia (we’re taking a look at you, colonoscopies)—might quickly earn the FDA’s stamp of approval and possibly increase individuals’s willingness to get screened for the illness.

The “Defend” blood take a look at, developed by California-based biotechnology firm Guardant Well being, can detect colorectal most cancers in individuals at common danger of the illness, in accordance with a research printed in March in The New England Journal of Medication (NEJM). The Defend take a look at is at the moment obtainable by way of prescription for a hefty $895. Medicare and most non-public insurance coverage firms require FDA approval earlier than they think about masking such issues, a Guardant spokesperson tells SELF, so till then, you’ll should pay out of pocket for it.

An FDA advisory panel of consultants met final week and voted in favor of the take a look at’s security and effectiveness, concluding that the advantages outweigh the dangers for the individuals it’s meant for. The FDA—which often listens to such panels, however not all the time—nonetheless has to resolve whether or not to approve the take a look at, a call that the Guardant spokesperson says is predicted later this yr.

Regardless of a number of the take a look at’s limitations, GI consultants we talked to are completely happy about probably having an alternative choice to assist display individuals. “Colon most cancers is the second main reason for most cancers loss of life in women and men within the US, and even with present checks, individuals nonetheless don’t get screened,” Douglas Corley, MD, PhD, a gastroenterologist and chief analysis officer with Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Analysis, tells SELF. “So any take a look at that may make it simpler for individuals to get screened is an enormous deal.”

Listed here are a very powerful issues to know in regards to the Defend colorectal most cancers blood take a look at.

How does this blood take a look at work?

Like every other lab work, you will get the Defend take a look at throughout a daily medical go to, so long as your physician ordered it. The evaluation appears to be like for tiny items of DNA that colorectal most cancers tumors dump into your bloodstream. You’ll obtain an “irregular” or “regular” end in about two weeks.

Who is that this blood take a look at for?

The Defend take a look at is meant just for individuals ages 45 or older at common danger of colorectal most cancers, which is the beneficial age to start screening in case you’re in that group. This implies the Defend take a look at isn’t an choice for high-risk individuals of any age, together with these with a private or household historical past of colorectal most cancers, individuals who have inflammatory bowel illness, and people with a identified genetic situation like Lynch syndrome. These persons are extra more likely to have most cancers or polyps that may turn out to be cancerous, so it makes extra sense for them to get a colonoscopy sooner reasonably than later, Dr. Corley says.

Can this blood take a look at really detect colorectal most cancers?

It will possibly, however consultants advise deciphering its outcomes with warning. An “irregular” studying suggests—however doesn’t affirm—you could have colorectal most cancers or precancerous polyps which have a excessive probability of turning into most cancers. On this state of affairs, you’ll should observe up with a colonoscopy. A “regular” studying suggests you don’t have any of the above, however the firm says it doesn’t assure you’re cancer-free and that you simply “ought to proceed collaborating in guideline-recommended screening applications.”