Future of cancer detection: Routine blood test saves lives

According to a recent article, Live Science unveils that a routine blood test turned into a life-changing moment for 77-year-old John Gormly, who discovered he had colon cancer through an innovative new test that could revolutionize early cancer detection. 

“I thought [my doctor] was wrong,” John Gormly, CEO of a construction company near Newport Beach, California, said. “I go, ‘Nah, I don’t feel anything.’ But there it was. It was real; the colonoscopy showed it.”

Gormly was among the first to undergo the Shield test, a blood test designed to detect colon cancer. After surgery to remove the tumor, Gormly was back to work within just 10 days. This test, developed by Guardant Health, is a game-changer, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional screenings like colonoscopies.

While an earlier version of the Shield test was available in 2022, it wasn’t covered by insurance. That changed in July 2024, when the US Food and Drug Administration approved the diagnostic version of the test, making it covered by Medicare.

Shield is part of a new wave of “liquid biopsies” — blood tests designed to detect various cancers, including those of the breast, pancreas, and stomach. Experts believe that, if widely adopted, these tests could significantly enhance early cancer detection and reduce the need for invasive procedures.

Despite their potential, liquid biopsies are still in the early stages and often detect fewer cases of cancer compared to gold-standard screening methods like colonoscopies. However, they offer a convenient, less invasive option that could improve compliance with screening recommendations.

Colon cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., with early detection proving key to survival. While current guidelines recommend colon cancer screenings for people aged 45 to 75, roughly one in three people in this group have never been screened. As Gormly’s experience illustrates, early detection can lead to more successful treatment outcomes.

“We believe that blood tests like Shield offer an important opportunity,” said Dr. William Grady, a leading researcher in the Shield trials. "They're convenient and can be done during a routine health care visit, making them a potentially powerful tool in the fight against cancer."

For now, the Shield test is approved for use every three years, but studies are underway to determine if more frequent testing could improve accuracy. With the promise of early diagnosis and treatment, blood-based tests like Shield could play a pivotal role in reducing cancer deaths in the future.

By Naila Huseynova