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Guardant Health, Harris Poll Survey Shows 92% of Eligible Americans Believe Colorectal Cancer Blood Tests Should be Accessible and Covered
Survey highlights strong support for expanded access to innovative blood-based colorectal cancer screening options like Guardant's FDA-approved Shield test.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:36pm
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A new national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Guardant Health found that over 92% of Americans ages 45 and over believe blood-based colorectal cancer screening should be covered with no co-pay, similar to Medicare Part B and VA Community Care coverage. The survey also highlighted barriers to colorectal cancer screening, including anxiety over colonoscopies and aversion to stool-based tests, and showed that 77% of eligible Americans would be less likely to avoid or delay screening if an FDA-approved blood test option was available.
Why it matters
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but has a 91% five-year survival rate if caught early. Expanding access to innovative blood-based screening options like Guardant's Shield test could help increase screening rates and detect cancer earlier, when it's more treatable. The survey results demonstrate strong public support for ensuring broader coverage and accessibility of these new screening technologies.
The details
The survey, conducted in February 2026, found that 92% of Americans ages 45 and over believe blood-based colorectal cancer screening should be covered with no co-pay, similar to Medicare Part B and VA Community Care coverage. It also highlighted key barriers to screening, including 71% of respondents feeling anxious before a colonoscopy and over half (54%) saying stool-based tests 'gross them out.' Additionally, 77% said they would be less likely to avoid or delay screening if an FDA-approved blood test option was available, and 85% said they would be more likely to get a colonoscopy if they had a positive result on a blood-based test first.
- The Harris Poll survey was conducted from February 24-26, 2026.
- Guardant Health's Shield blood test was FDA-approved in 2024.
The players
Guardant Health, Inc.
A leading precision oncology company focused on developing advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data, and AI analytics to transform patient care and accelerate new cancer therapies.
The Harris Poll
A global consulting and market research firm that has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment in the U.S. since 1963.
United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
An independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that makes recommendations about clinical preventive services.
Dr. Craig Eagle, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer at Guardant Health.
What they’re saying
“This year's survey conducted by The Harris Poll gives insight into the barriers that drive millions of Americans to avoid their recommended colorectal screening and the overwhelming support in expanding access to the latest innovation in colorectal cancer screening to close our nation's screening gap.”
— Dr. Craig Eagle, Chief Medical Officer, Guardant Health
“Preventive care should be accessible to everyone. Guardant's Shield blood test is a critical avenue in getting more patients screened by providing a quick, easy option to screen for colorectal cancer with just a blood draw, helping to detect cancer early, when it's more treatable.”
— Dr. Craig Eagle, Chief Medical Officer, Guardant Health
What’s next
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recently included the Shield blood test in its updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines, paving the way for improved patient access and additional major clinical guideline inclusions.
The takeaway
This survey highlights the strong public support for expanding access to innovative, non-invasive colorectal cancer screening options like Guardant's Shield blood test. Increasing accessibility to these new technologies could help drive higher screening rates and earlier cancer detection, ultimately saving more lives.
