SimpleScreen™ CRC Doctor Discussion Guide I Screening with Blood

IS SIMPLESCREEN^™ CRC RIGHT FOR YOU

A blood test is just one of several ways to screen for colon cancer. To learn which screening option fits your risk and needs – SimpleScreen CRC, the Cologuard Plus^® test or a colonoscopy – use our discussion guide to start a conversation with your doctor so they can order, request, or schedule one for you.

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How you want to get screened for colon cancer is a personal choice, and your doctor is there to help explore your options. They can consider factors like your age, risk level, health history, and insurance coverage to guide you.

Ask these questions to get the answers you're looking for.

Am I considered at average risk for colon cancer?
Given my age and medical history, is it time for me to get screened?
What other screening methods should we consider?
Should I start the screening process immediately?

Should I get a blood test, a stool test like Cologuard Plus, or a colonoscopy?
How effective is a blood test compared with other screening options?
What are the benefits and limitations of a blood test?
How does SimpleScreen CRC detect signs of colon cancer?

Where can I get my blood drawn for this test?
What is the turnaround time for results, and how will we review them?
If I choose this test, how often will I need to screen in the future?

Feel free to download and use our discussion and information guides to help you and your doctor decide if SimpleScreen CRC is right for you. 

Want to talk about noninvasive screening options at your next checkup? Express your interest by letting your doctor know before your visit. Copy and paste this message to send to your provider, or use it when making an appointment by phone.

I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. (name) on (date). I’m looking at noninvasive ways to screen for colon cancer. I’d like to see if a stool test like Cologuard Plus, or a blood test like SimpleScreen CRC, would work for me. Could you please check if I’m a candidate for either based on my history? I also need to know if my insurance will cover it. Thanks for your help.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guideline, a blood test is not the preferred way to screen for colon cancer.1 It’s less effective at detecting precancerous growths, limiting your chances of preventing cancer. The ACS only recommends a blood test if you decline their preferred methods such as a stool-based test or a visual exam.

However, getting screened is the priority because catching cancer early improves your treatment outcomes. So if a blood test helps you take that step, bring it up with your doctor at your next checkup.

SimpleScreen CRC is for people 45 and older who are at average risk for colon cancer. You're considered high risk and may not be eligible for a blood screening test if you have any of the following:

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Personal history

Past diagnoses of colon cancer, advanced precancerous polyps, or related cancers.

Family history

Having one or more first-degree relatives (a parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with colon cancer at any age.

Recent positive screening

A positive result on any other colon cancer screening method within the last 6 months.

Chronic conditions

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Genetic factors

Hereditary syndromes, including but not limited to HNPCC or Lynch syndrome, FAP, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome‬, MAP, Cowden’s syndrome,‬ Juvenile polyposis syndrome, and serrated polyposis‬.

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Know that you always have options

Looking for other noninvasive ways to screen? Consider the Cologuard Plus^® test – a trusted and effective screening option that detects 95% of colon cancers from stage 1 to stage 4.2 Learn how simple it is to use in the privacy of your home.

Get Cologuard Plus

Why does screening for colon cancer matter? 

Colon cancer is the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer.¹  When caught in its early stages (1 & 2), it’s survivable in about 90% of people.^{2 , *}

¹CItzkowitz SH. Incremental advances in excremental cancer detection tests. JNCI. 2009;101(18)1225-1227.

²National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Accessed Aug. 15, 2025. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html.

*Based on a 5-year survival rate.

When should I start screening for colon cancer?

Guidelines^1,2 recommend screening for colon cancer starting at 45 years old until 75. The decision to screen beyond that should be an individual one, taking into account your overall health and prior screening history.

¹ACS. American Cancer Society guideline for colorectal cancer screening. Updated May 27, 2026. Accessed August 11, 2026.  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html

²Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer - US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(19):1965-1977.

How often should I screen for colon cancer?

Whether you choose a noninvasive blood or stool test, the American Cancer Society recommends screening every 3 years following a negative result.¹

¹ ACS. American Cancer Society guideline for colorectal cancer screening. Updated May 27, 2026. Accessed August 11, 2026.  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html.

How does a blood test for colon cancer compare to a traditional colonoscopy? 

A colon cancer blood test is a noninvasive way to detect existing cancer cells, but it’s less effective than several other screening tests at detecting stage 1 colon cancers and precancerous polyps. A traditional colonoscopy detects and removes polyps in a single procedure, that helps catch and prevent colon cancer.¹

¹ Shaukat A, Burke CA, Chan AT, et al. Clinical Validation of a Circulating Tumor DNA-Based Blood Test to Screen for Colorectal Cancer. JAMA. 2025;334(1):56-63. DOI:10.1 001/jama.2025.7515.

How does the Cologuard Plus test compare to a traditional colonoscopy? 

The Cologuard Plus^® test is a trusted, effective, noninvasive screening option that detects 95% of cancers, same as a colonoscopy would detect, as seen in separate studies^1,2 It requires no prep or downtime, and you can use it in the privacy of your home. A colonoscopy requires bowel prep and a procedure to examine the colon. It allows doctors to remove polyps on the spot, helping prevent the development of colon cancer.

¹Cologuard Plus Clinician Brochure. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.

² Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer - US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(19):1965-1977.

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Your care is our care

Whether it’s learning how to order a use-at-home collection kit or talking to your doctor about screening with a blood test — we're here to support you every step of the way.

FAQs

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Visit our FAQ page for our most asked about topics.

We’re here to help — every day, 6 AM to 10 PM CT. Just give us a call at +1 844-870-8870.

References and footnotes

ACS. Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening. Updated May 27, 2026. Accessed July 3, 2026.  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html.
Cologuard Plus^® Clinician Brochure. Madison, WI: Exact Sciences Corporation.

ACS=American Cancer Society; CRC=colorectal cancer; DNA=deoxyribonucleic acid; FIT=fecal immunochemical test; HEDIS^®=Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set; HIT=health information technology; mt-sDNA=multitarget stool DNA; USPSTF=United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Finding what fits