An investigational, blood-based test for circulating tumor DNA shows “reasonable accuracy” for detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) among people at average risk, researchers report, but its ability to reveal early-stage lesions presents more of a challenge.

The clinical validation results of the PREEMPT CRC study, reported in JAMA , suggest further improvements are needed for it to replace traditional colonoscopy and stool-based screening.

In an editorial accompanying the findings, Jason Dominitz, MD, from the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, and colleagues wrote that the results present a complex message to patients and primary care physicians.

“We are excited about the prospect of a CRC screening test that may increase participation,” they maintained.

“The ability to

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