Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum.
SHIELD blood test can detect CRC with more than 80% accuracy.
The study was conducted on nearly 8,000 people between the ages of 45 and 84 in Seattle, Washington.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It can be detected with more than 80% accuracy using a simple blood test called SHIELD, which works by picking up signs of colorectal cancer from DNA that is shed by tumors and considered less effective at detecting precancerous lesions. The study was conducted on nearly 8,000 people between the ages of 45 and 84 in Seattle, Washington. The results were compared to a colonoscopy procedure, which is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer detection. While SHIELD has shown promise as an alternative screening method for CRC, it's important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone and should only be used after consulting with a healthcare professional.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be detected with more than 80% accuracy using a simple blood test called SHIELD.
The SHIELD blood test works by picking up signs of colorectal cancer from DNA that is shed by tumors and is considered less effective at detecting precancerous lesions.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the SHIELD blood test is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. The author also uses a dichotomous depiction of colorectal cancer when they state that it's expected to claim 53,010 lives in 2024 and people who are at average risk should start regular screenings at age 45.
The SHIELD blood test is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening.
Bias
(85%)
The author of the article is Melissa Rudy and she has a clear bias towards promoting new technology for cancer screening. The title of the article mentions that this blood test can detect colorectal cancer with more than 80% accuracy which implies that it's better than current methods, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
The new blood test is intended for use as a colorectal cancer screening for people who are of "average risk" and are not experiencing symptoms
The results from the SHIELD blood test were compared to the results from a colonoscopy procedure
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of colorectal cancer (CRC) as they are reporting on a study conducted by Guardant, which is a company that produces blood tests for CRC detection. The article also mentions Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and American Cancer Society (ACS), both of which may have financial ties to Guardant or other companies involved in the development of these blood tests.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and American Cancer Society (ACS) are also mentioned in the article as organizations that may have financial ties to companies involved in the development of these blood tests.
The study was conducted by Guardant, a company that produces blood tests for colorectal cancer detection.
Colorectal cancer death rates have declined in older adults but increased among people under 55 since the mid-2000s.
People at average risk should begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45 according to current guidelines.
Accuracy
The shield test detects colorectal cancer signals in blood DNA shed by tumors, something called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that a new blood test for colorectal cancer is as accurate as current home tests using stool samples. However, this statement is misleading because the accuracy of both tests varies depending on factors such as age and risk level. Secondly, the article quotes an expert stating that blood tests aren't as effective as current screening methods and shouldn't be used to replace them. This contradicts the author's earlier claim about the new test being just as effective. Thirdly, the article mentions a study comparing colonoscopies with Guardant Shield blood test results, but it fails to disclose that this comparison was not part of the ECLIPSE study and therefore cannot be used to draw conclusions about the accuracy of either test.
The author claims that a new blood test for colorectal cancer is as accurate as current home tests using stool samples. However, this statement is misleading because the accuracy of both tests varies depending on factors such as age and risk level.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses a new blood test for colorectal cancer that is as accurate as current home tests using stool samples. However, the panel of experts stated that this new blood test isn't as effective as current screenings and also aren't cost-effective. The author also mentions that people at average risk should begin screening at age 45 according to current guidelines.
The results of the study are a promising step toward developing more convenient tools to detect colorectal cancer early while it is more easily treated.
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses a new blood test for colorectal cancer that is as accurate as current home tests using stool samples. However, the panel of experts stated in a commentary that blood tests aren't as effective as current screening methods and also aren't cost-effective.
However, it was less sensitive for advanced precancerous lesions, which carry a risk that they can later become cancer.
The results of the study are a promising step toward developing more convenient tools to detect colorectal cancer early while it is more easily treated
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Tony Hicks has a conflict of interest on the topic of colorectal cancer as he is reporting for Medical News Today which is owned by Healthline Media. Healthline Media also owns and operates several health-related websites including Verywell Mind, The Spruce Eats, and The Spruce.
Healthline Media also owns and operates several health-related websites including Verywell Mind, The Spruce Eats, and The Spruce.
Tony Hicks reports on a new blood test that shows promise in detecting colorectal cancer for Medical News Today which is owned by Healthline Media.
Colorectal cancer is the third-most diagnosed cancer in adults in the U.S.
The trend prompted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower the age for colon cancer testing to 45 years old in 2021.
Higher obesity rates, more sedentary lifestyles and diets that include processed foods are likely contributors to colorectal cancer increase among younger people.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the new blood test accurately detects colorectal cancer 83% of the time which is equal or better than a commonly used stool-based detection test. However, this statement is misleading as it does not provide any context for what constitutes 'accurately' and 'commonly used'. In reality, the new blood test has only been tested on a small sample size and its accuracy may vary depending on various factors such as age, gender, ethnicity etc. Secondly, the author claims that early detection can significantly increase survival rates but fails to provide any evidence or data to support this claim. Lastly, the article presents the new blood test as an easy and convenient option for colon cancer screening which is not entirely accurate. While it may be less invasive than a colonoscopy, it still requires laboratory testing and analysis which can be time-consuming and expensive.
The statement 'the new blood test accurately detects colorectal cancer 83% of the time' is misleading as there is no context provided for what constitutes 'accurately' and 'commonly used'.
The article presents the new blood test as an easy and convenient option for colon cancer screening which is not entirely accurate.
The author claims that early detection can significantly increase survival rates but fails to provide any evidence or data to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the new blood test for detecting colon cancer. The author and researcher who led the study are quoted extensively praising the accuracy of the test and its potential to improve screening rates and prevent deaths. They also mention that higher obesity rates, more sedentary lifestyles, and diets high in processed foods may be contributing factors to an increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses at a younger age. The article does not provide any counterarguments or alternative viewpoints on the topic.
Colorectal cancer is increasing in younger people with about 20% diagnoses under age 55 almost double the rate reported in1995, according to the American Cancer Society.
Despite enthusiasm around new technologies Issaka stressed an importance pay attention how these and future tests are rolled out in clinical spaces.
Next-generation sequencing has rapidly advanced over the last 20-plus years including in ways that were sensitive enough to detect potential biomarkers.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have unveiled a new type of blood test used to detect colorectal cancer, with high hopes not only in its ability to reduce barriers to testing for this particular disease, but also potentially paving the way for many other types of cancer screenings.
The study analyzed results from nearly 8,000 people throughout the country between ages 45 and 84 and compared results of their blood tests to those of a colonoscopy.
The trend prompted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which regulates and makes recommendations when to complete certain screenings, in 2021 to lower the age to begin colon cancer testing to 45.
The number of deaths has increased among people under the age of 50.
High fatty diets, high sugar-based diets, low exercise, being overweight are risk factors for colon cancer.
Jamie Comer wishes to be around for her daughter's first parents weekend at college.
Accuracy
Colorectal cancer death rates have declined in older adults but increased among people under 55 since the mid-2000s.
Higher obesity rates, more sedentary lifestyles and diets that include processed foods are likely contributors to colorectal cancer increase among younger people.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that the blood test developed by Guardant Health can detect all early cancers when in fact it was only successful at detecting 83% of them. Secondly, the article suggests that a simple surgery could have been performed if Comer had taken the blood test but this is not entirely accurate as large polyps may turn into cancer and therefore require further investigation. Lastly, the article implies that high fatty diets, high sugar-based diets, low exercise and being overweight are risk factors for colon cancer when in fact there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims.
The blood test developed by Guardant Health was successful at detecting 83% of early cancers. However, it implies that the test can detect all early cancers which is not entirely accurate.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the success of a clinical trial without providing any context or information about the reliability of the study. Additionally, there is a false dilemma presented when it states that if Comer had taken the blood test, she would have only needed a simple surgery instead of undergoing chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. This oversimplifies the complexity of cancer treatment and ignores other factors such as stage and location of tumors. The article also presents an informal fallacy by using emotional language to appeal to readers' empathy for Comer's story, rather than providing objective information about the blood test.
The blood test developed by Guardant Health in Silicon Valley could have given Comer a much better outcome.
Bias
(10%)
The article is promoting a new blood test developed by Guardant Health in Silicon Valley that screens for colon cancer. The author quotes Dr. Craig Eagle, chief medical director at Guardant who states the blood test measures DNA generated for cancer and if it has broken DNA then it raises a flag to confirm follow-up testing. However, the article also mentions that this test was not able to detect most large polyps which tend to be harmless but may turn into cancer. This contradicts Eagle's statement about the blood test being successful at detecting 83% of early cancers.
The author quotes Dr. Craig Eagle, chief medical director at Guardant who states the blood test measures DNA generated for cancer and if it has broken DNA then it raises a flag to confirm follow-up testing.
, Of patients without colorectal cancer, the majority (89.6%) tested negative in the screening blood test,
Accuracy
, Of patients without colorectal cancer, the majority (89.6%) tested negative in the screening blood test.
The new home blood test for colorectal cancer is as accurate as current home tests using stool samples.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that a blood-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC) has been shown to be as effective as colonoscopy in detecting CRC and advanced pre-cancerous lesions. However, this claim is not supported by the evidence presented in the article. The study only compared sensitivity and specificity of a blood-based DNA screening test with that of colonoscopy for confirmed cases of CRC, but did not compare it to other established methods such as fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). Therefore, it is unclear whether this new method would be more effective in detecting CRC than existing methods. Secondly, the author claims that a blood-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer has been shown to increase screening adherence rates and reduce morbidity and mortality from CRC. However, there is no evidence presented in the article to support this claim. The study only compared sensitivity and specificity of a blood-based DNA screening test with that of colonoscopy, but did not measure its impact on actual outcomes such as detection rate or reduction in CRC incidence.
The author claims that a blood-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer has been shown to be as effective as colonoscopy. However, this claim is not supported by the evidence presented in the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a source of information without providing any context or explanation for why this organization's standards are relevant or trustworthy. Additionally, the author presents statistics on sensitivity and specificity without explaining what these measures mean in relation to colorectal cancer screening. This can be misleading for readers who may not have a clear understanding of medical terminology.
The article cites the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a source of information, but does not provide any context or explanation for why this organization's standards are relevant or trustworthy. This is an example of an appeal to authority fallacy.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the use of a blood-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer. The author uses language that portrays this new method as superior to colonoscopy and implies that it will increase screening adherence rates. Additionally, the author cites statistics from previous studies without providing context or critically evaluating their relevance to the current study.
The article states 'Of those who die from CRC, most are not up to date with screening', implying that a blood-based test would be more effective at increasing screening rates than colonoscopy.
The author uses language such as 'potentially increase screening adherence rates' and 'reduce of CRC-related morbidity and mortality' which implies the new method is superior to existing methods.
