On October 12, 2026 Abbott reported new real-world evidence showing that completion of multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) screening was associated with approximately 54% lower colorectal cancer incidence and 45% lower odds of death following a colorectal cancer diagnosis. The findings are among 13 abstracts highlighting new colorectal cancer screening research being presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, taking place Oct. 9-14 in Nashville.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
New real-world evidence examines colorectal cancer incidence and mortality following Cologuard screening
Among the research presented at ACG are two large real-world studies that provide novel data regarding associations between completion of multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) screening and important long-term colorectal cancer outcomes.
In a nationwide cohort of more than 2.5 million average-risk adults, researchers found that completing mt-sDNA screening was associated with an approximately 54% lower adjusted incidence rate of colorectal cancer compared with not completing the test. The association remained consistent across sensitivity analyses.
A separate population-based case-control study of 5,745 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer found that completing mt-sDNA screening within the five years before diagnosis was associated with 45% lower odds of death after diagnosis compared to those who did not complete an mt-sDNA test during that period. The association was observed across all racial and ethnic groups examined.
Together, the findings add to the growing body of real-world evidence examining longer-term outcomes associated with mt-sDNA screening, which has been used to screen for colorectal cancer more than 23 million times since the Cologuard test launched in 2014.1
"In order to achieve real public health benefits, colorectal cancer screening tests must demonstrate both high accuracy and adherence," said Paul Limburg, M.D., chief medical officer for screening, Abbott Cancer Diagnostics. "The research being presented at ACG helps us better understand what happens beyond the performance of an individual test — including whether people remain up to date with screening and how different strategies may ultimately affect colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. These insights can help us continue improving the screening experience and reach more people with the highest performing option that works for them."
Additional research emphasizes the value of mt-sDNA screening
The total research presence includes two oral presentations and 11 poster presentations spanning real-world clinical outcomes, sustained screening adherence, comparative effectiveness, test performance, health economics and patient costs. The findings add to the evidence supporting multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) screening with Cologuard and Cologuard Plus and provide new insights into how colorectal cancer screening strategies perform in real-world populations.
The abstracts at ACG are as follows:
Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 3:30 to 7:00 PM
Modeling the Serrated Pathway Alters Projected Benefits of Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies
Bayesian Analysis of CRC Sensitivity and Specificity Point Estimates for Molecularly-Based Stool Screening Tests: Influence of Data Precision on Projected Outcomes
Estimated Budget, Resource Use, and Clinical Impact of Increased Proportional Use of Next-Generation Multi-Target Stool DNA Test for CRC Screening: A US Payer Perspective
Impact of FIT Performance Variability on Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Screening Outcomes: A CRC-AIM Microsimulation Analysis
Sustained Adherence to Stool-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening: mt-sDNA vs. FIT Using Proportion of Time Up to Date
Colorectal Cancer Screening with Multitarget Stool DNA Testing: Real-World Adherence and Follow-up Colonoscopy in a Large Urban Academic Health System
Association Between mt-sDNA Completion and Reduced Colorectal Cancer Incidence: A Real-World Cohort Study
Monday, October 12, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 4:15 PM
A Longitudinal Adherence Trajectory Model for Realistic Colorectal Cancer Screening Simulation
Association of Multitarget Stool DNA Screening Completion With Reduced Odds of Death After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
System-Level Drivers of Incomplete At-Home Colorectal Cancer Screening: Un-Processable mt-sDNA Kits in 2025
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Adherence to Colorectal Cancer Screening with Screening Colonoscopy with and without Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Plenary Session 2A, 8:30 to 8:50 AM
Performance Characteristics of Fecal Immunochemical Tests in Males and/or Females: Should the Threshold Vary? — Oral presentation
Impact of Federal Policy Change on Patient Out-of-Pocket Costs for Follow-up Colonoscopy After Positive Stool-Based Tests— Oral presentation
For more information about Abbott’s presence at ACG 2026, click here.
About the Cologuard Plus Test
Developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, the FDA-approved Cologuard Plus test is a noninvasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening option for adults aged 45 or older who are at average risk for the disease. The use-at-home test detects novel DNA biomarkers and blood in stool associated with colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous lesions, requiring no special preparation or time off to take the test. Cologuard tests have been used to screen for colon cancer millions of times.
Featuring novel biomarkers, improved laboratory processes and enhanced sample stability, the Cologuard Plus test is FDA-approved for both colon cancer and advanced precancerous lesion detection. By relying exclusively on molecular data from the patient sample, it helps support accurate results and reflects Abbott’s commitment to expanding access to colorectal cancer screening.
(Press release, Abbott, OCT 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234673324])