New Survey

Patients and Physicians Overwhelmingly Agree Blood Tests Could Help Close the Colorectal Cancer Screening Gap

Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today 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