New Blood Test for Cancer Recurrence

With new and better treatments, fighting cancer is a battle more people are winning. But some types of cancer may be more likely to recur, and a blood test to check for that could make it easier to catch the recurrence early on. Here’s what we know about this promising new development.

Colorectal Cancer is a Common Type of Cancer

Each year in the United States, approximately 148,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. For around 40% of them, it will come back again later, even after treatment. Naturally, that’s a concerning prospect for the patients and their families. 

Because colorectal cancer is so likely to return, finding out as soon as possible may mean faster treatment and the potential for a longer life for people who have recurrences. Up until recently, it wasn’t easy to know who might be at the greatest risk.

New Blood Test for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

There’s a new blood test that patients can administer at home. Guardant Health designed the surveillance blood test for people who have already had surgery to treat colorectal cancer. It looks for early signs of remaining tumor cells or suggestions that cancer may be returning.

When healthcare professionals catch this cancer early, the survival rate is relatively high. But detecting cancer in the early stages is the key to engaging treatment before the cells spread to other areas of the body. Ideally, doctors want to catch it before it even has a chance to spread further in the colon or rectal area. This blood test may help with that. 

How the Test Works to Find Cancer

By using this blood test, doctors can look for tumor DNA fragments that may be floating in the bloodstream. According to a press release from the company, spotting that tumor DNA may help doctors see who’s more at risk for a recurrence. It probably means closer monitoring for those people, as well as additional treatments, but if knowing is half the battle, then they're in better shape than they were when waiting for scans to pick up new growth.

This test may allow healthcare professionals to find recurring colorectal cancer months earlier than it would be otherwise. Earlier detection may mean a higher success rate for saving lives or prolonging the lives of those who have a recurrence. The sensitivity of the test is 91%, according to the company’s press release information. 

Tests for Other Cancers Will Soon Be Available

While the test is currently only for colorectal cancers, researchers are developing similar tests for other cancer types for release in the near future. Tests have been conducted with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and the blood test discovered more genetic mutations than tissue biopsies found previously. That’s promising for patients with this type of cancer, as well.

As researchers add more types of cancers to the list this blood test can detect, there may be real potential to screen more people and help them live longer lives. The ability to screen patients multiple times in the months following surgery without requiring invasive biopsies may also make recovering from cancer treatment easier.

As with any blood test, there may be false-positive or false-negative results. However, the test shows high levels of accuracy and makes it easier for more patients to be screened after cancer surgery. If you or a loved one has symptoms of colorectal or any other type of cancer, it’s critical to seek out a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible. And even if you have no signs, it's critical for all of us to seek out early screening. It may save a life.

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