Blood test could detect bowel cancer with 'acceptable accuracy'

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-06-03 01:15

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A blood test which looks for bits of tumour DNA in the bloodstream has shown 'acceptable accuracy' in detecting bowel cancer, but the authors say the detection of advanced precancerous lesions remains a challenge. The test was able to correctly identify people with colorectal cancer 79.2% of the time (sensitivity), and it was able to correctly clear people who didn't have advanced colorectal tumours 91.5% of the time (specificity). However, the test was only able to detect advanced precancerous lesions, which are likely to progress to cancer if left untreated, 12.5% of the time.

Media release

From: JAMA

Clinical Validation of a Circulating Tumor DNA–Based Blood Test to Screen for Colorectal Cancer

JAMA

About The Study: In an average-risk colorectal cancer screening population, a blood-based test demonstrated acceptable accuracy for colorectal cancer detection, but detection of advanced precancerous lesions remains a challenge, and ongoing efforts are needed to improve test sensitivity.

(doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7515)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Kaiser Permanente, USA

Funder: The PREEMPT CRC study was funded by Freenome Holdings Inc.

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