Citrus Colorectal Cancer Foundation

05/21/2026

A New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Screening — Progress with Important Limitations

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. Each year, approximately 150,000 Americans are diagnosed and nearly 53,000 lose their lives to this disease. The good news? Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers through screening.

A newly FDA-approved blood-based screening test offers another option for average-risk adults age 45+ who are reluctant to undergo traditional screening.

Here’s what patients should know:
🔹 The blood test detected about 83% of colorectal cancers overall
🔹 Detection of early Stage I cancer was only ~55%
🔹 Detection of advanced precancerous polyps was only ~13%
🔹 By comparison, colonoscopy detects over 95% of colorectal cancers and can remove polyps before they become cancer

This means blood testing may help increase screening participation—but it is not a replacement for colonoscopy. Any positive blood test still requires a follow-up colonoscopy.

At Citrus Colorectal Cancer Foundation, our message remains clear:
The best screening test is the one that gets done—but colonoscopy remains the gold standard for prevention.

Screening starts at age 45 for average-risk adults. Early detection saves lives.

05/16/2026

We are immensely pleased that the President of the Citrus Colorectal Cancer Foundation, Dr. Trupti Shinde, had the honor of presenting at the Florida Chamber Safety, Health & Sustainability Conference regarding the importance of gut health in improving the future of Florida.

This was a wonderful opportunity for the Foundation to shine and bring awareness to important issues that are near and dear to our state — highlighting how better gut health can improve the well-being, productivity, and future of Florida’s workforce and communities.

The Gut Healthy Workforce: A New Vision for Florida's FutureSpeaker:Dr. Trupti S. Shinde, MD, FACG, FFGS, President & Senior Managing Partner | Citrus Colore...

05/12/2026

Educate. Empower. Prevent.
Through research and writing our students are rising awareness about healthy, eating, and the growing risk of colorectal cancer among young Americans. Here is a picture of Grace Lawson recipient of Honorable Mention award at Inverness Middle school.
Congratulations to Grace Lawson for her understanding and ability to communicate importance of healthy living!

05/08/2026

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

Educate. Empower. Prevent.
Through research and writing our students are rising awareness about healthy, eating, and the growing risk of colorectal cancer among young Americans. Here is a picture of Olivia Yager recipient of Honorable Mention award at Citrus Springs Middle school.
Congratulations to Olivia Yager for her understanding and ability to communicate importance of healthy living!

04/13/2026

We are honored to be part of the 2026 Florida Chamber Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability in Orlando, Florida.

Our President, Dr. Trupti Shinde, will be speaking on:
👉 “Building a Gut-Healthy Workforce for the Future of Florida”

This session will focus on:
• The critical importance of gut health
• The link between poor gut health and chronic diseases
• The growing economic burden of these conditions in Florida
• Practical strategies to improve gut health and strengthen our workforce

We are incredibly excited for this opportunity to share our mission and expand our efforts across Florida—working together to build healthier communities, a stronger workforce, and a better future.

04/05/2026

💙 Guess why the courthouse and fountain in Inverness are glowing blue? 💙

A big thank you to our County Commissioner Rebecca Bays for making this happen in honor of Colon Cancer Awareness Month. This beautiful display is more than just a color—it’s a powerful reminder to our community.

Colon cancer is rising, especially in younger individuals. It is now the #1 cause of cancer-related death in men under 50 and the #2 cause in men and women overall in the United States.

Gut health matters. Prevention matters. If you have symptoms—don’t wait. A colonoscopy can be life-saving. Along with screening, a healthy diet and good gut health can improve overall wellness and help reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia, and even other cancers.

Let’s continue to raise awareness, support one another, and keep this momentum going. So proud of our Citrus County community 💙

03/10/2026

*** we need EVERYONE to call your representative- doctors and patients/ advocates***

Please personally call your local representative and leave a message so they support this bill that is coming up that will help thousands of patients and let the commercial insurances pay their part.

This is our opportunity to make a difference for colon cancer surveillance.

The first wellness colonoscopy and every 10 years is free.

When when you have a polyp at your colonoscopy, when you return in five years commercial insurances are making you pay your deductible saying it’s not prevention.

All the Gastro societies ACG, ASG, AGA have worked over several years with the senators and representatives advocating that they support THE CHANGE IN LANGUAGE NEEDED FOR COMMERCIAL INSURANCES TO PROVIDE THIS FOLLOW UP/SURVEILLANCE COLONOSCOPY FREE TO THE PATIENTS.

Unfortunately, some patients are not able to pay their deductible and get the much needed colonoscopy to prove colon cancer.