Despite these findings, less than one percent of CRCS screenings in 2015 took place using CTC, a fact that Yee affirms as proof that greater education is needed from providers.

“Organizations need to educate those on the front line who will then educate and recommend colorectal cancer screening to patients,” she said. “There are multiple tests available and the patient needs to know accurate information about all of them and be a part of the decision-making process. Those on the front line include primary care providers, but also others, such as womens' health providers, who already advocate for breast and cervical cancer screenings. We hope that commercial payers will take note and more proactively help patients by providing coverage.”


Patient and provider groups recently urged Congress to evaluate a bill in September that would extend Medicare coverage to include CTC screenings, arguing that doing so would provide patients access to a less-invasive and more cost-effective method that is more widely available throughout the U.S.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy diagnosed in men and women throughout the U.S. and is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

CTC is currently covered by the five largest private players.

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