Modeling analysis suggests that FIT-based screening could substantially reduce colorectal cancer screening costs while maintaining comparable cancer detection yield
[SAN DIEGO, CA / SHENZHEN, CHINA — August 12, 2026] — SeekIn, a biotechnology company advancing blood-based technologies for cancer early detection and monitoring, today announced the publication of a new study in Frontiers in Oncology examining the clinical and economic trade-offs among major colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strategies.
Based on 9.2 million individuals in the United States who underwent initial colonoscopy screening in 2021, the study compared the expected detection yield and costs of colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), and four FDA-approved molecular tests: the stool-based Cologuard and ColoSense, and the blood-based Shield and SimpleScreen.
The analysis found that FIT demonstrated the most favorable economic profile among the strategies evaluated. In the annual screening economic evaluation, replacing initial colonoscopy screening with FIT could reduce CRC screening expenditures by approximately 94.5%, corresponding to estimated savings of approximately US$22.4 billion.
“Improving cancer outcomes requires screening strategies that are not only clinically effective, but also accessible, scalable, and economically sustainable,” said Dr. Mao Mao, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SeekIn, and corresponding author of the study. “Our analysis highlights the importance of evaluating screening technologies through a population-health perspective that considers clinical performance, patient access, healthcare capacity, and overall economic value.”
The study found that differences in overall CRC detection yield were relatively modest across the evaluated strategies, while differences were more pronounced in the detection of precancerous lesions. Stool-based tests demonstrated advantages in detecting precancerous lesions, potentially because they can capture exfoliated neoplastic material directly from the colorectal lumen. Blood-based molecular tests showed more limited sensitivity for early or preinvasive disease under the assumptions and evidence incorporated into the analysis.
Over a 10-year modeling period, FIT remained the lowest-cost strategy despite annual testing. The estimated cumulative cost of FIT screening was approximately US$6.6 billion, compared with approximately US$23.7 billion for initial colonoscopy screening performed at the recommended 10-year interval. Stool-based molecular tests, including ColoSense and Cologuard, had higher cumulative costs than FIT but remained less costly than initial colonoscopy screening.
The authors emphasized that the findings should not be interpreted as suggesting that a single screening modality is appropriate for every individual. Rather, the analysis underscores the importance of balancing clinical performance, adherence, affordability, healthcare capacity, and population-level impact when developing and implementing CRC screening programs.
“Expanding participation in cancer screening is one of the most important opportunities to reduce cancer mortality,” said Ms. Shujia Hao, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of SeekIn, and a co-author of the study. “Cost-effective and scalable screening approaches may help broaden access while reducing pressure on limited healthcare resources, including colonoscopy capacity.”
The study also provides context for the continued development of next-generation cancer screening technologies. As new molecular tests emerge, their potential role in population screening should be assessed not only by analytical and clinical performance, but also by affordability, accessibility, implementation feasibility, and their ability to complement established screening approaches.
“At SeekIn, we are committed to advancing evidence-based approaches to cancer early detection,” Ms. Hao added. “We believe innovation should expand the options available to patients and healthcare systems. This includes developing new technologies while rigorously evaluating their potential to deliver meaningful clinical and economic value within real-world screening pathways.”
The study concludes that FIT-based screening may represent a pragmatic approach to improving the economic value of CRC screening, relieving colonoscopy capacity constraints, and creating budgetary space for other high-value preventive interventions.
Publication
FIT and molecular tests versus colonoscopy: an economic evaluation of colorectal cancer screening in the United States
Chang et al.
Frontiers in Oncology
DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-00910