Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet it is highly treatable when detected early. Despite the clear benefits of early intervention, a significant public health challenge persists: the screening gap. Current data indicates that more than 50 million eligible adults in the U.S. have not completed recommended CRC screenings. This non-compliance is frequently attributed to the perceived inconvenience, discomfort, or invasiveness associated with traditional screening methods such as colonoscopies or stool-based tests.
To address this critical disparity, the medical community must shift the paradigm from simply advising patients to get screened to providing a frictionless, accessible mechanism for doing so. Through a strategic partnership with Guardant Health, PathGroup is helping to close this gap by combining advanced blood-based screening technology with industry-leading gastrointestinal (GI) pathology expertise.
The March Mission: Moving Beyond Awareness
While awareness campaigns are vital, they are insufficient on their own to alter adherence rates significantly. The primary obstacle is not a lack of knowledge regarding the dangers of colorectal cancer, but rather the barriers to entry for screening. Patients often delay or refuse testing due to the logistical and physical burdens of standard procedures. Consequently, a substantial portion of the population remains at risk, bypassing the window of opportunity where survival rates exceed 90%.
The introduction of blood-based screening offers a transformative solution. By integrating a non-invasive option into routine medical visits, healthcare providers can effectively bypass the psychological and logistical hurdles that contribute to the screening gap. This approach aligns with the mission of PathGroup’s oncology services, which focus on early detection and precise diagnostics to improve patient outcomes.
Quality GI Pathology: The Foundation of Care
While novel screening methods are essential for identifying at-risk patients, the foundation of colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment planning remains high-quality histopathology. PathGroup possesses a legacy spanning more than 50 years as a physician-led leader in anatomic and GI pathology. This extensive experience ensures that when a screening test yields a positive result, the subsequent diagnostic process is handled with the utmost clinical rigor.
The “Gold Standard” Connection
The Guardant Shield™ test serves as a primary screening tool, identifying patients who require further evaluation. However, the definitive diagnosis of colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas is established through colonoscopy and tissue biopsy. At this critical juncture, the PathGroup Gastrointestinal Pathology Team provides the essential follow-up. These subspecialized pathologists interpret tissue samples to determine the precise nature of the lesion, distinguishing between benign polyps, pre-cancerous conditions, and invasive carcinoma.
This workflow represents a comprehensive diagnostic ecosystem. The blood test acts as the initial filter, while PathGroup’s anatomic pathology services provide the “gold standard” confirmation required for treatment planning. This synergy ensures that patients receive a seamless continuum of care, from the initial blood draw to the final pathology report.
Digital Innovation in Diagnostics
To support this high volume of diagnostic throughput, PathGroup utilizes a digitally enabled laboratory environment. Digital pathology technologies allow for the rapid acquisition, management, and interpretation of pathology images. Once a tissue sample is taken during a follow-up colonoscopy, these digital tools ensure accuracy and speed in diagnosis. This technological infrastructure supports the physician leadership team in delivering timely results, which is critical for alleviating patient anxiety and expediting the initiation of necessary therapies.
The Guardant Health Partnership: Innovation in a Blood Draw
A pivotal element in redefining CRC detection is the deployment of the Guardant Shield™ blood test. As the first and only FDA-approved blood test utilized as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer, Shield™ represents a significant leap forward in preventative care. This test detects colorectal cancer signals in the bloodstream, specifically looking for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shed by tumors.
PathGroup is actively bringing this innovative testing modality to a broad network of healthcare providers, currently serving over 250 hospitals across 25 states. By making this advanced screening tool widely available, PathGroup and Guardant Health are directly addressing the compliance issues associated with traditional methods.
Frictionless Ordering for Providers
For primary care physicians, the utility of a screening test is often dictated by the ease of ordering and integration into existing workflows. PathGroup facilitates this through robust Electronic Medical Record (EMR) integration and the PathConnect™ platform. Physicians can order the Shield™ test during a routine office visit, eliminating the need for a separate referral or a distinct appointment for sample collection. This “frictionless ordering” process empowers providers in primary care and internal medicine to capture unscreened patients at the point of care, significantly increasing screening compliance rates.
Expanding Access to Underserved Communities
Geographic barriers frequently exacerbate health disparities, particularly in rural communities where access to gastroenterologists and endoscopy centers may be limited. Patients in these areas often face significant travel times and logistical challenges to undergo a colonoscopy. The partnership between PathGroup and Guardant Health specifically targets these barriers.
PathGroup operates an extensive network of phlebotomists and Patient Service Centers. Because the Shield™ test requires only a standard blood draw, patients can undergo screening at these convenient locations without the need for specialized preparation or sedation. This capability allows PathGroup to extend life-saving screening services to populations that have historically been underserved or have avoided screening due to access issues.
By leveraging a regional footprint that spans 25 states, the laboratory ensures that sophisticated molecular diagnostics are accessible beyond major metropolitan medical hubs. This democratization of access is a crucial step in reducing colorectal cancer mortality rates on a population level.
A Comprehensive Continuum of Care
The collaboration between PathGroup and Guardant Health signifies more than the introduction of a new test; it establishes a comprehensive continuum of care designed to save lives. The pathway from the ease of the Shield blood draw to the expert diagnostic interpretation by physician leadership ensures that patients are not lost to follow-up.
When a patient receives a “detected” result from the blood screen, they are seamlessly guided toward the necessary diagnostic colonoscopy, where anatomic pathology experts stand ready to analyze tissue samples. This integrated approach combines the accessibility of clinical lab services with the precision of subspecialized diagnostics.
PathGroup delivers full-service diagnostic excellence through anatomic, clinical, and molecular pathology—backed by physician leadership and cutting-edge digital technologies. With 24/7 operations and rapid turnaround times, PathGroup empowers hospitals and physicians with faster, more accurate results that drive better patient outcomes. Trusted by over 250 hospitals nationwide, the integrated approach ensures seamless testing, expert interpretation, and a commitment to clinical precision at every step. For more updates, follow PathGroup on Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn.