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New Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline Adds to Recommended Tests
The updated guideline for colorectal cancer screening adds multitarget stool RNA tests and new blood-based tests to the recommended options for screening.
Published on:
May 29, 2026
You can collect stool samples in the privacy of your home, and most kits include shipping materials like boxes and labels.
Photo credit: Samantha Hurley
In its updated colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guideline, the American Cancer Society (ACS) introduces two key additions to our previous guideline:
- Multitarget stool RNA (mt-sRNA) tests are now added to the existing list of recommended tests, joining other high-sensitivity stool-based tests and structural (visual) exams as preferred screening options.
- New blood-based tests are also added to the recommended tests, but they are not a preferred option at this time. This is because research shows they are less likely to find precancerous growths and early-stage cancer (Stage I). Guidance is provided on whether/when blood-based tests should be used.
All positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with timely colonoscopy.
The updated guideline is published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of the ACS.
How the New Guideline Compares to the Previously Published Guideline
| 2026 Guideline Recommended Test Types | Preferred? | Screening Test |
|---|---|---|
Stool-based tests | ✔ yes |
|
| Visual exams | ✔ yes |
|
| Blood-based tests | X no |
|
As with our other guidelines, the ACS emphasizes that offering multiple recommended screening options supports informed patient choice and may improve participation, because the most effective screening test is the one that the patient completes.
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