A new blood test has been added to recommended screening options for colorectal cancer, giving adults another way to check for one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Health experts say the update could encourage more people to participate in screening, particularly those who avoid traditional procedures such as colonoscopies.

The American Cancer Society recently updated its screening guidance to include a blood-based test known as Shield. According to CNN, the recommendation applies to average-risk adults aged 45 and older who have not completed or are unwilling to undergo colonoscopy or stool-based screening tests. The goal is to reduce barriers that prevent many eligible adults from being screened.

While the blood test offers a simpler and less invasive option, experts stress that colonoscopy remains the most effective screening tool because it can both detect and remove precancerous growths. Clinical data show the blood test can identify many colorectal cancer cases, but it is less effective at finding precancerous lesions and some early-stage cancers. Any abnormal blood-test result must still be followed by a colonoscopy.

Health specialists believe the expanded screening choices could help close a significant screening gap, as many eligible adults remain overdue for testing. They emphasize that the most important screening method is the one people are willing and able to complete, since early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.