92% of Americans Back No-Copay Coverage for Guardant’s Colorectal Cancer Blood Test
Event summary
- 92% of Americans aged 45+ support no-copay coverage for blood-based colorectal cancer screening, per Guardant Health/Harris Poll survey.
- Guardant’s Shield™ test, FDA-approved in 2024, remains excluded from USPSTF guidelines updated in 2021.
- 77% of eligible Americans would be less likely to delay screening with an FDA-approved blood test option available.
- Shield test achieved 93% completion rate in first 100,000 orders, outperforming other screening methods.
The big picture
Guardant Health’s survey underscores a strategic opportunity to close the colorectal cancer screening gap by leveraging patient preference for non-invasive blood tests. The push for no-copay coverage aligns with broader trends in preventive care accessibility, but regulatory lag in updating guidelines remains a hurdle. Shield’s real-world adherence rates position it as a potential disruptor in a market dominated by colonoscopies and stool-based tests.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Alignment
- Whether USPSTF will update guidelines to include Shield, potentially expanding its coverage and adoption.
- Market Penetration
- The pace at which Shield gains commercial adoption beyond Medicare, VA, and TRICARE coverage.
- Competitive Dynamics
- How traditional screening methods respond to Shield’s growing market presence and patient preference.
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