Wisconsin — Men’s Health Month is a time dedicated to raising awareness around preventable health conditions and encouraging men to prioritize routine care and early detection. Today, a new, FDA-approved blood test is making colorectal cancer (CRC) screening quick and easy for eligible men in Wisconsin to stay up to date with their regular screenings.
Guardant Health, Inc., a trusted leader in blood-based cancer tests for more than 10 years, is working with healthcare providers throughout Wisconsin to expand access to its Shield® blood test, the first and only blood test approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer for average-risk individuals, age 45 and older.
Just last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its guidelines recommending the Shield blood test as part of its updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines for patients who do not complete stool-based or visual examinations. The recognition of Shield in ACS guidelines as a more accessible option is a momentous step forward to address our nation’s persistent screening gaps and rising CRC rates in adults under 65, especially for men who have avoided or delayed their lifesaving screening.
For many men, traditional screening methods are often perceived as emasculating, with cultural pressures surrounding masculinity, such as “being strong,” linked to a 54 percent lower likelihood of CRC screening completion. In fact, the incidence of CRC is 32 percent higher in men than in women overall, despite CRC being highly treatable when caught early, with a 91 percent five-year survival rate for patients with early-stage, localized CRC.
With CRC being the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, the gap in screening underscores the need for more people in Wisconsin, especially men, to take action and get screened this month.
“Men’s Health Month is an opportunity to encourage more men to take preventive steps toward protecting their long-term health by getting screened,” said Sam Asgarian, MD, vice president of clinical development for screening at Guardant Health. “Colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early, but unfortunately, too many men avoid colorectal cancer screening due to stigma, fear, or the inconvenience and discomfort associated with traditional screening methods. Blood-based screening options like Shield are helping break down these barriers by offering a quick and easy way to screen that can be completed during a routine doctor’s visit, making it easier for more people, especially men, in Wisconsin to get screened.”
“As a Marine, I learned that readiness isn’t just about responding to threats, but it’s about preparing for them. Cancer screening works the same way. It is preventive and smart. And for veterans 45 and older at average risk, screening is now more accessible than ever before,” said Elkhorn resident and Marine Veteran Devin Gatton. “Shield is just a blood draw. There is no prep or time away from work for a procedure. You can get screened during a routine appointment. For veterans covered through the VA Community Care Network, there is no copay. It’s also covered by Medicare.”
The Shield test is intended for individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer, age 45 or older. For eligible patients in Wisconsin, it is offered by prescription through a doctor or other healthcare professional and can be completed during a routine visit. For complete product information about the Shield blood test, including full safety information, visit ShieldCancerScreen.com.
Shield is covered by Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, and is commercially available across the U.S.
About Shield
Shield is a methylation partitioning cell-free DNA (mp-cfDNA) non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.
About Guardant Health
Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.
