Guardant Health’s Shield Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening Now Available for U.S. Military Members and Families

Key Terms

colorectal cancer medical

A type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, the final sections of the digestive tract, where abnormal cells grow into tumors that can spread to other parts of the body. Investors care because diagnosis rates, treatment advances, regulatory approvals, screening technologies, and long-term care costs directly affect pharmaceutical, medical-device, diagnostics and health-insurer revenues; think of it as a major market driver in healthcare similar to how a recurring product category shapes a tech company’s sales.

precision oncology medical

Precision oncology uses detailed biological information from a patient’s tumor—like genetic changes or specific markers—to choose treatments most likely to work for that individual, much like tailoring a suit to a person’s measurements instead of selling one-size-fits-all clothing. It matters to investors because these targeted approaches can improve treatment success, support premium pricing and companion diagnostic tests, and shorten development and approval timelines, creating focused markets with both higher potential returns and specialized risks.

tricare regulatory

TRICARE is the U.S. government-run health insurance program that provides medical coverage to active-duty and retired military personnel and their families, acting like a large employer-sponsored health plan paid for by the federal government. It matters to investors because it represents a stable, sizable payer that drives revenue for healthcare providers, insurance managers, pharmaceutical makers and contractors who serve military beneficiaries—similar to a steady customer that can influence demand and contract value.

fda regulatory

The FDA is the U.S. federal agency that evaluates and approves medical drugs, devices, biological therapies and certain foods; think of it as the gatekeeper that decides whether a medical product is safe and effective for patients. For investors, FDA decisions determine whether a company can sell a product, affect expected revenue and introduce regulatory risk, so approvals, rejections or safety warnings can quickly move a company's valuation and stock price.

medicare regulatory

Medicare is a large government-run health insurance program that primarily covers people aged 65 and older and certain younger people with disabilities. For investors it matters because Medicare acts like a huge customer and rule-maker for hospitals, drugmakers and medical-device companies—its coverage decisions, payment rates and regulatory policies can change demand, revenue and profit margins across the healthcare sector, similar to how a major client or regulator can shape a business’s prospects.

• Active-duty service members and eligible family members now have access to blood test for colorectal cancer screening with no copay

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced its Shield blood test for colorectal cancer screening (CRC) is now covered for active-duty service members and their families through TRICARE, the U.S. military’s health insurance coverage, with no copay for average-risk individuals ages 45 and older.

Shield is the first and only blood test approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for CRC, offering U.S. military troops a more pleasant and convenient option for screening by overcoming barriers associated with other screening methods. According to the Department of Defense, there are approximately 1.3 million active-duty service members. Those above the age of 45 – along with their families of screening-eligible age – will now have access to Shield, the latest innovation in CRC screening.

“Continuing to expand coverage for Shield across the U.S. from our nation’s veterans to our active-duty service members will help provide greater access to Shield’s life-saving screening benefit from just a blood draw,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “TRICARE has a long history of bringing the most impactful technologies at the forefront of science to support our troops in being proactive about their healthcare. We’re proud to see Shield selected as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer to empower those who serve to catch cancer early when it’s more treatable.”

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., with a 91% five-year survival rate if caught early. Shield is covered by Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, and is commercially available across the U.S.

About Shield

Shield is a non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.

About Guardant Health

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Guardant Health Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the potential utilities, values, benefits and advantages of Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy tests or assays, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors. These and additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Guardant Health’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” and elsewhere in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Guardant Health as of the date hereof, and Guardant Health disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Guardant Health’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108194386/en/

Investor Contact:

Zarak Khurshid

investors@guardanthealth.com

Media Contact:

Meaghan Smith

press@guardanthealth.com

Source: Guardant Health, Inc.