Guardant Health's Shield Blood-based Screening Test for Colorectal Cancer Now Accessible Through National Test Ordering and Collection Network of Quest Diagnostics
MWN-AI** Summary
Guardant Health, Inc. has made its innovative Shield™ blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer widely accessible through a strategic collaboration with Quest Diagnostics. This partnership equips physicians nationwide with the ability to order the Shield test via Quest’s extensive network, providing a significant step towards improving colorectal screening adherence. Shield is the first blood test to receive full FDA approval for primary screening of colorectal cancer in average-risk adults aged 45 and older, representing a more convenient alternative to traditional methods like colonoscopies and stool tests.
The agreement allows healthcare providers to access Shield through their existing Quest accounts, utilizing Quest’s vast infrastructure, which includes approximately 2,000 patient service centers and 6,000 in-office phlebotomists nationwide for blood collection. AmirAli Talasaz, co-CEO of Guardant Health, emphasized the collaboration’s potential to enhance early cancer detection, stating that the Shield test can increase patient compliance, as evidenced by a remarkable 93% adherence rate in initial tests.
Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of screening. Currently, over 54 million Americans miss recommended screenings, often due to the inconvenience of existing options. With Shield, individuals can screen simply via a blood draw, making early detection more accessible and potentially more life-saving.
Furthermore, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has recently included the Shield test in its colorectal cancer screening guidelines, indicating its growing validation within the medical community. The test is also covered by Medicare and various veteran healthcare programs. This collaboration represents a critical advancement in transforming colorectal cancer screening and improving patient outcomes in the U.S.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Guardant Health's recent partnership with Quest Diagnostics to facilitate the nationwide ordering of its Shield blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer presents significant investment implications for stakeholders. This development positions Guardant as a leader in innovative cancer screening, particularly as colorectal cancer remains a major health concern, being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
One of the critical advantages of the Shield test is its FDA approval as the first primary screening option for average-risk adults aged 45 and older. The seamless integration into Quest’s expansive network empowers primary care physicians, making the test easily accessible and capable of driving up screening rates—a noteworthy achievement given that over 54 million Americans have yet to complete recommended screening protocols.
The real-world effectiveness of Shield, with a 93% adherence rate, showcases not just its potential health benefits but also its commercial viability. High patient compliance can result in increased revenues for Guardant Health, reflecting positively on their stock performance. This partnership, coupled with Medicare and other major insurance coverages, signifies a solidified market presence that can attract both institutional and retail investors.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Shield in updated CRC screening guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network could enhance its adoption in clinical settings, further expanding Guardant’s market share. The financial implications are promising, as increased utilization translates to improved sales forecasts and potentially stronger earnings calls.
Investors should closely monitor Guardant Health’s next quarterly reports for indications of adoption and usage rates of the Shield test within Quest's network, as these metrics will be crucial in determining the company’s growth trajectory and stock valuation in a competitive oncology market. Overall, Guardant Health appears well-positioned for growth amidst an evolving healthcare landscape focused on early cancer detection.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
- Strategic collaboration to enable streamlined and accelerated access to Shield blood-based colorectal cancer screening test across Quest’s vast network
- Physicians nationwide now have the ability to order Shield
- Shield is proven to increase screening rates with a 93% screening adherence rate
Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced that the Shield™ by Guardant blood-based screening test is now widely accessible for physician order through the nationwide connectivity of Quest Diagnostics, equipping clinicians with access to blood-based screening innovation for colorectal cancer (CRC) through one of the largest diagnostic ecosystems in the United States.
Shield is the first and only blood test to receive full FDA approval as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults aged 45 and older. Under the agreement, providers that order lab testing from Quest can now directly access Shield through their existing Quest account and electronic health record (EHR).
Quest provides healthcare connectivity solutions to nearly 650,000 clinician and hospital accounts annually in the United States. Providers can also utilize Quest’s approximately 2,000 patient service centers and approximately 6,000 in-office phlebotomists across the United States for blood draws for Shield.
“Activating our strategic collaboration with Quest marks a pivotal milestone in broadening access to Shield and empowering primary care physicians across the country to bring the lifesaving advantages of early detection to their patients with just a blood draw,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “Shield’s innovative technology supported by Quest’s vast, nationwide infrastructure will strengthen our ability to fundamentally transform colorectal cancer screening by equipping doctors with a quick, easier screening option patients are far more likely to complete.”
As part of the strategic arrangement, Quest’s national commercial sales team will actively educate primary care physicians about access to the test.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. with a 91 percent five-year survival rate if caught in early stages. 1 Yet, over 54 million people do not complete the recommended screening, in part because they find the available options, colonoscopy and stool tests, unpleasant or inconvenient. 2 With Shield, individuals can be screened with just a blood draw, helping to detect cancer early, when it is more treatable.
Shield is proven to increase screening rates in the real world, with 93% of patients completing the test in the first 100,000 Shield tests ordered – a significant improvement in screening adherence rates over other types of tests. 3 Recently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network included the Shield blood test in its updated CRC screening guidelines, paving the way for improved patient access and additional major clinical guideline inclusions.
Shield is covered by Medicare, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network and TRICARE, and is commercially available across the U.S.
About Shield
Shield is a methylation partitioning cell-free DNA (mp-cfDNA) non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.
About Guardant Health
Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn , X (Twitter) and Facebook .
Guardant Health Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the potential utilities, values, benefits and advantages of Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy tests or assays, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors. These and additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Guardant Health’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” and elsewhere in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in its other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Guardant Health as of the date hereof, and Guardant Health disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Guardant Health’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
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1 | American Cancer Society. Mortality Under 50 Declines for 4 of 5 Leading Cancers in U.S., but Colorectal Now Top Cancer Killer, New ACS Study Finds . American Cancer Society Pressroom. January 22, 2026. https://pressroom.cancer.org/under-50-mortality-declines | |
2 | Ebner DW, Kisiel JB, Fendrick AM, Estes C, Li K, Vahdat V, Limburg PJ. Estimated average-risk colorectal cancer screening-eligible population in the US. JAMA Netw Open . 2024 Mar 29;7(3):e245537. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.5537. PMID: 38551567; PMCID: PMC10980958 | |
3 | Inadomi JM, Vijan S, Janz NK, et al. Adherence to colorectal cancer screening: a randomized clinical trial of competing strategies. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(7):575-582. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260310124738/en/
Investor Contact:
Zarak Khurshid
investors@guardanthealth.com
Media Contact:
Meaghan Smith
press@guardanthealth.com
FAQ**
Given the strategic collaboration announced, how do you foresee Guardant Health Inc. (GH) leveraging Quest Diagnostics' network to enhance patient access to the Shield test in the coming years?
With a reported 93% screening adherence rate for Shield, how does Guardant Health Inc. (GH) plan to address potential barriers that could impact the broader adoption of this blood-based colorectal cancer screening test?
Considering the inclusion of Shield in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, what impact do you expect this to have on Guardant Health Inc. (GH)'s market share and revenue growth in the colorectal cancer screening sector?
What strategies will Guardant Health Inc. (GH) implement to continue educating physicians about the benefits of the Shield test while navigating competitive landscape challenges in the blood-based cancer screening market?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Guardant Health Inc. (NASDAQ: GH).
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