Senior living residents in Florida now have access to a groundbreaking cancer screening option thanks to a new partnership between precision oncology company Guardant Health and LabFlorida/SunDX Labs. The collaboration makes Guardant Health’s Shield™, the first FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, available to assisted living and independent living communities across the state.
The Shield test offers a simple blood draw as an alternative to colonoscopy or stool-based tests. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but it is highly treatable if detected early. 91 percent of patients survive at least five years when diagnosed in early stages. Despite this, one-third of eligible adults remain unscreened, often due to the inconvenience or discomfort of existing testing options.
For Florida’s senior living residents, regular screening is especially critical. Risk of CRC increases with age, yet a National Institutes of Health pilot study found that as many as 71 percent of assisted living residents are not up to date with recommended screenings.
“Shield has the potential to be revolutionary for senior living communities. Colorectal cancer disproportionately affects older adults, yet seniors, who are the most vulnerable population, are overwhelmingly under-screened,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “By making screening easy with a simple blood draw, Shield can redefine preventative healthcare for residents and has the power to increase screening rates and improve patient outcomes.”
LabFlorida, which provides concierge-style lab services for senior and homebound patients, will serve as the exclusive distributor of the Shield test to senior communities across Florida.
“We are proud to partner with Guardant Health to bring the Shield test to the senior living communities we serve,” said Ralph Nenna, VP of Business Development of LabFlorida/SunDx Labs. “The Shield test represents a game changer in early detection and preventive care – making CRC screening more accessible and comfortable for seniors.”
The partnership marks a significant step toward expanding preventative health tools for aging populations and we feel a great responsibility to help ensure patients have access to a potentially life-saving test.
