Guardant Health, Inc., a leading precision oncology company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, a pioneer in diagnostic information services, to expand access to Guardant’s Shield™ blood-based colorectal cancer screening test across the United States.
Shield is the first and only blood test to receive full FDA approval as a primary screening method for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults aged 45 and older. Under the multi-year partnership, physicians using Quest will be able to order Shield directly through their existing Quest account and integrated electronic health record (EHR) systems. Quest, which provided healthcare connectivity to approximately 650,000 clinician and hospital accounts last year, will make Shield broadly accessible through its extensive network. Patients can complete blood draws at more than 2,000 Quest patient service centers or through 6,000 in-office phlebotomists nationwide. In addition, Quest’s national sales team will educate primary care physicians and OB-GYNs about Shield, driving adoption among its broad provider base. The test is expected to be available for physician order through Quest beginning in the first quarter of 2026.
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“Shield makes cancer screening pleasant and convenient, through just a simple blood draw. Our strategic collaboration with Quest represents a pivotal step in accelerating access to this groundbreaking technology, enabling primary care physicians across the country to offer their patients the lifesaving benefits of early detection,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “By rapidly scaling Shield’s lifesaving innovation through Quest’s nationwide network, we will strengthen our ability to fundamentally change the trajectory of the disease.”
“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to expanding our oncology offering to include cutting-edge screening technology for diseases, like colorectal cancer, that can often be prevented when caught early,” Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President, Quest Diagnostics, said. “A blood-based test for colorectal cancer has the potential to reduce several barriers that prevent wider population screening. Our relationship with Guardant Health reflects the unique strength of Quest’s scale and ability to enable nationwide access to advanced diagnostics with the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes.”
Colorectal cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Despite a 91% five-year survival rate when diagnosed early, millions remain unscreened. More than one-third of eligible adults over 50 million people do not undergo the recommended screenings, often due to the discomfort and inconvenience of colonoscopies or stool-based tests. Shield offers a simpler, more convenient solution with just a blood draw, enabling earlier detection and improved patient outcomes. The test is already covered by Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, and it is commercially available nationwide.