Blood-based colon cancer screening: a simpler, noninvasive way to detect colorectal cancer early

Discover a simpler, noninvasive blood-based screening for colorectal cancer. A blood-based colon cancer screening test uses a straightforward blood draw to detect signals associated with colorectal tumors—such as circulating tumor DNA, DNA methylation patterns, or protein markers. Because it doesn't require stool collection, many people find it an easier starting point for screening. It's designed to complement existing options, and a positive result would lead to a diagnostic colonoscopy for confirmation. Who should consider it? Generally, adults at average risk who prefer a noninvasive testing option or who face barriers to stool-based tests or colonoscopy may consider this approach. Guidelines typically target adults around ages 45 to 75, but the right timing depends on personal risk factors and your clinician’s advice. It’s important to discuss your family history, prior screenings, and access to care to determine if a blood-based colon cancer screening is appropriate for you. And remember: a positive result always requires a follow-up colonoscopy to identify and address any lesions. How it compares to stool tests. Stool tests such as FIT or FIT-DNA have a long track record and can detect hidden blood or DNA markers shed in the stool, sometimes offering strong sensitivity for cancers and certain polyps. Blood-based testing eliminates the need to collect stool and can be more convenient for some individuals. However, performance characteristics vary, especially regarding detection of precancerous polyps, and screening frequency may differ. Insurance coverage and lab availability also influence choice. Either way, a positive result from a blood-based colon cancer screening should be followed by confirmatory colonoscopy. InnerBuddies brings a complementary dimension to gut health alongside screening decisions. As a white-label Gut Health Operating System, InnerBuddies powers consumer gut microbiome testing products with a modular platform designed for labs and brands. Its Gut Microbiome Health Index turns complex data into a simple 0–100 score that reflects overall gut health, built on an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia. In addition, the platform presents Bacteria abundances and Bacteria functions, showing how you compare against a healthy cohort across hundreds of microbial markers and metabolic pathways. Target Group analysis dives into how the microbiome supports specific life contexts—Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, Skin & Hair Health, and more. And with personalized nutrition advice and tailored probiotics and prebiotics recommendations, InnerBuddies helps turn microbiome insights into practical actions. InnerBuddies also offers gut test solutions directly to consumers, and every option you see for our B2B partners is also available to individual consumers. If you’re exploring microbiome testing as part of a broader gut health plan, you can learn more about the InnerBuddies microbiome test, or consider a InnerBuddies gut health membership for ongoing insights, and you can discover partnership opportunities on the InnerBuddies B2B partner page.