The US is set to pass its 2030 goal of colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings by the end of 2022, according to GlobalData, which estimates that 78 million (77.9%) individuals between the ages of 50 to 75 will undergo CRC screening in 2022—compared to the target of 74.4%*. The leading data and analytics company notes that the development of more accurate testing tools will contribute greatly to CRC awareness and encourage other countries to adopt regular screening.

Selena Yu, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in the US, and the global aging population is only increasing disease prevalence. GlobalData predicts improved disease awareness for CRC screening as more countries begin to start to set health guidelines on routine cancer screenings—starting in the US and Germany.”

According to GlobalData’s report, ‘Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Market Size (Value, Volume, ASP) by Segments, Share, Trend and SWOT Analysis, Regulatory and Reimbursement Landscape, Procedures, and Forecast, 2015-2030’, the CRC screening test market is projected to rise from $1.65 billion in 2022 to $2.72 billion by 2030. This includes faecal DNA test kits, guaiac faecal occult blood test kits, immunochemical faecal occult blood test kits and other screening tests like blood tests.

On May 10, a clinical trial by biochemical company Freenome** reached enrolment with over 35,000 participants. Specializing in medical artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, the company’s highly specific and sensitive colorectal adenocarcinoma test achieves 94% sensitivity, much higher than other CRC tests such as the Hemoccult II (40%).  Moreover, the PREEMPT trial recruited a diverse pool of participants with various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in every US state. PREEMPT recruited a diverse study population of 11.3% Black and 10.3% Hispanic, while most other CRC screening test clinical trials had 5% and 1%, respectively.

Selena Yu, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The ongoing development of higher-accuracy tests is imperative for improved awareness and will bring multiple benefits. For example, when such tests are paired with colonoscopies, physicians can detect CRC at much earlier stages, which increases patient survival.”

* There may be slight differences in the total population figures used between these two claculations

** Prevention of Colorectal Cancer Through Multiomics Blood Testing (PREEMPT)