New Test Available for Colorectal Cancer

African American men and women have the highest incidence and death rates for colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Now, millions of people who have avoided colon cancer screening can get a new home test that is noninvasive.

Available by prescription only, Cologuard offers people 50 years and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer an easy-to-use screening test that they can do in the privacy of their own homes. It is the first noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer that analyzes both stool-based DNA and blood biomarkers to detect cancer and precancer. The Cologuard technology platform was co-developed by Exact Sciences Corp. and Mayo Clinic as part of a broad, exclusive collaboration.

Read the full Mayo Clinic news release.

Read the Associated Press story.