Guardant Health, a leader in precision oncology, and Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic information services, have announced a strategic collaboration to expand access to Guardant’s Shield™ blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer across the United States.
Shield is the first and only blood test fully approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for average-risk adults aged 45 and older. Under this multi-year agreement, healthcare providers who use Quest will be able to order Shield directly through their existing Quest accounts and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Last year, Quest delivered healthcare connectivity solutions to approximately 650,000 clinician and hospital accounts.
Patients will also benefit from Quest’s extensive infrastructure, with access to over 2,000 patient service centers and 6,000 in-office phlebotomists nationwide for blood draws. Additionally, Quest’s national commercial sales team will actively educate primary care physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists about Shield, further expanding awareness and adoption. The test is expected to be available for physician ordering through Quest in the first quarter of 2026.
“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.”
Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO, and President of Quest Diagnostics, added: “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. 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 the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.. When detected early, the disease has a 91% five-year survival rate. Yet, about one in three eligible adults—more than 50 million people—do not complete recommended screening, often due to the inconvenience of colonoscopies or stool-based tests. Shield offers a simpler alternative through a routine blood draw, enabling earlier detection when treatment is more effective. Shield is currently covered by Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network and is already commercially available across the U.S.