WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – On Monday, the Federal Drug Administration approved Guardant Health’s blood test, called Shield, as a primary screening option to test for colon cancer.

While doctors are hopeful it will de-stigmatize going to get tested, doctors in our area say this does not take the place of a colonoscopy.

Novant Health Colon and Rectal Surgeon Dr. Joseph Payne says it’s not all you might think.

“Those of us who take care of patients with colon cancer and hopefully try to prevent colon cancer are much more interested in prevention than we are screening,” he said. “This does not prevent colon cancer.”

He says the new test doesn’t do as well to detect polyps, which are small growths in the colon and rectum.

“It’s still going to miss even some early cancers,” he explained.

While it’s a lot better than no screening at all, Dr. Payne says it doesn’t come close to a colonoscopy.

“A colonoscopy can be preventative and lifesaving. These tests may be lifesaving but they’re not preventative,” he said.

Dr. Payne says people should get a colon screening at age 45 and this blood test is aimed at people with average risk, which means no family history of colon cancer, no blood in your stool, and that you’re feeling healthy.

The Shield blood test is available now through a doctor’s prescription.

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