Blood-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Follow-Up Rates Fall Short

A study led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that while blood-based tests offer a more convenient option for colorectal cancer screening, only 49% of patients completed a follow-up colonoscopy within six months, and just 56% did so at any point during the two-year study period. This is despite the fact that follow-up colonoscopy is a critical next step to confirm the presence of colorectal cancer or pre-cancer after an abnormal screening result. The study's findings suggest that individuals with Medicare Advantage were significantly less likely to complete follow-up colonoscopy compared to those with private insurance, and that having fewer health conditions increased the likelihood of timely follow-up.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that only 49% of patients completed a follow-up colonoscopy within six months, and just 56% did so at any point during the two-year study period.
• Individuals with Medicare Advantage were significantly less likely to complete follow-up colonoscopy compared to those with private insurance, with a 24% lower likelihood.
• Having fewer health conditions increased the likelihood of timely follow-up, with a 12% higher likelihood for each additional condition.
• Unlike prior studies of stool-based screening, race and ethnicity were not significant predictors of follow-up completion in this cohort.
• The study's findings suggest that barriers to follow-up colonoscopy, such as access and convenience, may be contributing to the low follow-up rates.

Statistics:

• 49% of patients completed a follow-up colonoscopy within six months.
• 56% of patients completed a follow-up colonoscopy at any point during the two-year study period.
• Individuals with Medicare Advantage were 24% less likely to complete follow-up colonoscopy compared to those with private insurance.
• Having one additional health condition increased the likelihood of following up with colonoscopy by 12%.
• The study analyzed over 6,000 individuals aged 45 and older who received a blood-based colorectal cancer screening test, called Shield (Guardant Health), between 2022 and 2024.
• The study examined 452 individuals who received an abnormal result.

Sources:

• UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• Guardant Health
• The study was published in the journal Gastroenterology.
• The study's authors include Timothy Zaki, Folasade May, Nicole Zhang, Shaun Forbes, Victoria Raymond, and Amar Das.