ACS Reaffirms Abbott’s Cologuard with 95% Cancer Detection, Preps Freenome Blood Test
ABT•New ACS guidelines designate Abbott’s Cologuard and Cologuard Plus as preferred noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tests for adults aged 45+, with Cologuard Plus detecting 95% of CRCs at 94% specificity. Abbott will commercialize a pending FDA-approved Freenome blood-based test to expand its CRC screening portfolio.
1. ACS Guideline Reaffirms Cologuard Leadership
The American Cancer Society updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines to designate Abbott’s Cologuard and Cologuard Plus as preferred noninvasive screening options for adults aged 45 and older at average risk, endorsing three-year testing intervals to detect colorectal cancers early when treatment is most effective.
2. Cologuard Plus Performance Metrics
Cologuard Plus demonstrates a 95% cancer detection rate at 94% specificity, balancing high sensitivity with minimized false positives, and both tests are integrated into quality measures such as HEDIS and Stars to support payer and provider incentives and drive adoption across health systems.
3. Expansion with Blood-Based Test
Abbott plans to commercialize a pending FDA-approved blood-based CRC screening test developed in partnership with Freenome, leveraging its Nexus platform to streamline ordering and patient navigation, aiming to broaden screening participation among individuals who decline stool-based methods.
