Greater Greenwood United Ministry’s Crusade against Colon Cancer gets a new Shield!

Greater Greenwood United Ministry has been awarded its second grant to expand its Larry Tompkins Colon Cancer Prevention Program.

GGUM established its Colon Cancer Prevention program a year ago in honor of its late pharmacist, Larry Tompkins, who succumbed to colon cancer last January.

The latest grant for 50 Guardant “Shield” Colorectal Cancer Screening Blood Tests was awarded to GGUM in March, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. GGUM Executive Director Rosemary Bell wrote and submitted the grant application after learning of the new non-invasive Shield Blood Tests from GGUM volunteer lab technician Ginger Lawton.

The wholesale value of 50 of the groundbreaking blood tests is approximately $42,500, and the self-pay value is approximately $75,000. The Blood Test is the product of Guardant Health, a biotechnology company based in Palo Alto, California.

Shield Testing is an advanced blood test designed to screen for colorectal cancer by detecting tiny traces of tumor DNA in your bloodstream, often before symptoms appear.

Why patients love it:

• Simple blood draw, no prep required

• Supports early detection and better outcomes

• A convenient option for those putting off traditional screenings

Important to know:

Shield Testing is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If the results are positive, further testing (such as a colonoscopy) is recommended.

GGUM continues to offer and prescribe the Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT) and recommends it to all patients aged 45 or older.

Both tests are administered at GGUM. The FIT test is conducted through a partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network.

Above: GGUM Staffers, volunteers donned colon cancer awareness t-shirts, provided by CCPN.

Samples are sent to Self Regional Healthcare for results, then entered into the patient’s chart, after which a Medical Provider explains the test results.

When results are good, the patient is encouraged to repeat the test annually.

However, if the results are concerning, the patient will be referred and scheduled for a colonoscopy at either MUSC Colon Cancer Research or Access Health Lakelands.

GGUM Executive Director Rosemary Bell is overjoyed with the response to the new Shield Colon Cancer Screening Blood Test and is a strong advocate for prevention.

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer.

Another alarming fact is that colorectal cancer is on the rise among young adults and among those who are too young to begin screening. Two-thirds experience symptoms for many months before they’re finally diagnosed. Be sure to alert your doctor if you’re experiencing blood in your stool, persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss. If these symptoms persist, the possibility of colorectal cancer must be considered.

This blog post makes references to facts, data, and other research based on the sources listed below. Please click on the websites for more information.