Findings from the first ‘Closing the Gap: CRC Screening
Insights’ survey, released during National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month, suggest more convenient blood-based testing could
transform colorectal cancer screening by encouraging the 50 million
Americans behind in screening to stay up to date
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 90% of eligible Americans would be more likely to
stay up to date with screening if there were a blood test option,
citing quicker, easier and more pleasant options (89%) as top
motivators to complete recommended screening. Notably, 84% of
people of color said convenient access to screening tests would
motivate them to get screened compared to 75% of their white peers,
further highlighting the role that blood testing could play in
helping address existing screening disparities.
- Physicians agree an FDA-approved blood test could help close
the screening gap Similarly, primary care providers (97%) and
gastroenterologists (91%) agree their patients would be more likely
to stay up to date with screening if they had the option of a blood
test, noting that they would anticipate a corresponding increase in
compliance in that situation (98% and 97%, respectively).
Ultimately, 96% of all physicians surveyed would recommend an
FDA-approved blood test to their patients for CRC screening.
- A disconnect exists between screening awareness and
adherence Almost a third (30%) of screening-eligible Americans
are aware they are not up to date with recommended CRC screening,
suggesting that barriers associated with existing screening methods
are impacting adherence. A more concerning finding is that over a
quarter (26%) mistakenly think they are up to date, despite never
having been screened.
- Educating around the importance of early detection could
help CRC is most treatable if caught early, with a 5-year
survival rate of 91% for people with early stage, localized
disease.2 However, 70% of surveyed Americans were unaware of this,
with significantly more people of color (78%) unaware compared to
their white peers (66%). This highlights an important opportunity
for greater education to further motivate eligible Americans,
particularly among underserved communities.
More information about blood-based screening for colorectal
cancer can be found at bloodbasedscreening.com.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related
death in the United States,3 responsible for an estimated 53,010
deaths in 2024.4 This type of cancer is highly treatable if caught
early, yet despite multiple screening modalities available, over 50
million Americans remain unscreened.5 Screening rates are even
lower in minority and underserved populations, despite the
disproportionate impact of colorectal cancer on these communities.6
Screening can reduce colorectal cancer mortality by detecting
cancer early, when treatment is more successful.7
About the Shield™ Test
The Shield test for colorectal cancer screening is commercially
available for eligible individuals by prescription only through
healthcare professionals. This LDT (Laboratory Developed Test) is
intended to be complementary to, and not a replacement for, current
recommended CRC screening methods. A negative result does not rule
out the presence of cancer. Patients with an abnormal blood-based
screening result should be referred for a diagnostic colonoscopic
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 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 helping doctors select the best
treatment for patients with advanced cancer. For more information,
visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X
(Twitter) and Facebook.
About the Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm
that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to
inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients
in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate
reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and
earning organic media through public relations research. One of the
longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked
public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963.
The research was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll
on behalf of Guardant Health among 1,000 U.S. residents aged 45-84,
250 practicing Primary Care Physicians and 101 practicing
Gastroenterologists. The survey was conducted January 26-February
9, 2024. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender,
race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size,
employment, and household income to bring them in line with their
actual proportions in the population.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements
regarding the potential utilities, values, benefits and advantages
of Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy tests or assays, which involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to
differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations
expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and
actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these
statements due to a number of factors. These and additional risks
and uncertainties that could affect Guardant Health’s financial and
operating results and cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this
press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk
Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operation” and elsewhere in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any
current and periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereafter. The forward-looking
statements in this press release are based on information available
to Guardant Health as of the date hereof, and Guardant Health
disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements
provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in
events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is
based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements
should not be relied upon as representing Guardant Health’s views
as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
References
_______________________
1 American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures
2020-2022.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2020-2022.pdf.
2 American Cancer Society. Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer.
Accessed February 15, 2024.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html.
3 Siegel RL, Giaquinto AN, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2024. CA
Can J Clin. Published online January 17, 2024.
doi:10.3322/caac.21820. Accessed February 21, 2024.
4 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf.
Accessed February 21, 2024. Accessed February 21, 2024.
5 American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures
2020-2022.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2020-2022.pdf.
6 American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures
2020-2022.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2020-2022.pdf.
7 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf.
Accessed February 21, 2024.
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Investor Contact: investors@guardanthealth.com
Media Contact: Michael Weist press@guardanthealth.com +1
650-647-3643
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