PITTSBURGH (Aug. 11, 2026) — Researchers at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Center contributed to a new international study led by City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment organization, showing that a blood-based test may help detect both colorectal cancer and the precancerous growths that can lead to it.
The study, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, found the test detected approximately 90 to 92 percent of colorectal cancers and 81 percent of advanced adenomas, or high-risk polyps.
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with more than 55,000 deaths expected this year. Rates are increasing among younger adults, even as screening has reduced cases in older populations.
At the same time, screening rates remain below national targets, and about one in three eligible adults are not up to date on recommended screening.
Colonoscopy remains the most effective screening tool, but some patients delay or avoid it due to preparation or discomfort.
“This is an important step toward making colorectal cancer screening more accessible,” said Ali H. Zaidi, MD, medical director of aerodigestive research at the AHN Cancer Center, professor of surgery and medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, and a co-author of the study. “A blood test could provide a more convenient option for patients and help identify those who need follow-up care.”
David L. Bartlett, MD, director of the AHN Cancer Center and president of the AHN Research Institute, was also a co-author of the study.
The test works by analyzing small molecules in the blood, called microRNAs, and using advanced analytics to identify biological signals associated with colorectal cancer or precancerous changes.
Unlike many existing blood-based tests, this approach is designed to detect not only cancer but also advanced adenomas, allowing for earlier intervention.
“For years, most blood-based cancer screening tests have focused on finding cancer after it has already developed. Our goal was to move detection further upstream by identifying advanced adenomas and early-stage colorectal cancers, when intervention can have the greatest impact. If we can reliably detect these lesions through a simple blood test, we have an opportunity not only to find cancer earlier, but also to help prevent it altogether,” said Ajay Goel, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at City of Hope and senior author of the study.
AHN Cancer Center served as a key participating site in the international study, which enrolled more than 1,600 participants undergoing colorectal cancer screening.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this research is its potential to identify patients at risk before cancer develops,” said David L. Bartlett, MD, director of the AHN Cancer Center, president of the AHN Research Institute and co-author of the study. “By finding advanced precancerous polyps through a simple blood test, we may be able to reach more people with screening, intervene earlier and ultimately reduce the burden of colorectal cancer.”
While this blood test is still being studied and is not yet a replacement for colonoscopy, experts say it could eventually help more people take that first step toward screening.
“Too many patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer after the disease has already progressed,” Dr. Zaidi said. “Our goal is to change that by making screening easier, more accessible and more effective.”
Experts emphasize that while the blood test remains under investigation, patients should continue to follow recommended screening guidelines and discuss the most appropriate screening option with their physician.
