A blood-based triage tool to support colorectal cancer assessment in symptomatic patients.
ColoSTAT® provides additional clinical information to help guide referral decisions.
Where ColoSTAT® fits in the symptomatic pathway.
Patients presenting with vague or non-specific abdominal symptoms are common in clinical practice, and determining who requires further investigation can be challenging.
ColoSTAT® is a blood-based triage tool that provides additional information to support clinical decision-making. It helps guide whether referral for colonoscopy is appropriate, particularly when symptoms are unclear, FIT is unsuitable, or access to colonoscopy is limited.
For General Practitioners
Use cases in primary care
ColoSTAT® is designed to support decision-making in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer, particularly where the clinical picture is unclear.
It may be considered in situations where:
- Symptoms are vague or non-specific
- The need for referral is uncertain
- A stool-based test (FIT) is declined, unsuitable, or unlikely to be completed
- There is concern about delays in access to colonoscopy
- Additional information would support discussion with the patient regarding next steps
It is particularly valuable for:
- Frail or elderly patients where invasive procedures carry higher risk
- Patients aged 45–84 with symptoms of bowel cancer
- Patients reluctant to perform stool-based tests (FIT)
- Patients with persistent symptoms in difficult-to-characterise cases
WORKFLOW INTEGRATION
ColoSTAT® is designed to integrate easily into routine primary care workflows, with no additional preparation required.
- Order: Request ColoSTAT® similar to routine blood tests
- Collect: Standard blood draw at a 4Cyte Pathology collection centre
- Analyse: Samples processed in a NATA-accredited laboratory
- Review: Results returned promptly to support timely clinical decisions
INTERPRETING RESULTS & CLINICAL ACTION
Positive result: A positive result indicates an increased likelihood of colorectal cancer and supports referral for colonoscopy.
Negative result: A negative result indicates a low likelihood of colorectal cancer. In appropriate clinical contexts, this may support a decision to monitor symptoms rather than proceed immediately to colonoscopy.
Clinical Note: ColoSTAT® is not a diagnostic test but a triage tool to support decision-making. Results should always be interpreted alongside clinical assessment and other investigations.
EVIDENCE SNAPSHOT
91% sensitivity for all stages of colon cancer
ColoSTAT® detected 9 out of 10 colorectal cancers in symptomatic patients, including earlier-stage disease. This supports timely identification of patients who may require further investigation.
99.4% Negative Predictive Value
Validated across multiple populations
Supports more targeted referrals
Many patients referred for colonoscopy do not have colorectal cancer. ColoSTAT® provides additional information to help prioritise referrals and support more appropriate use of colonoscopy.
Stage-Specific Sensitivity
A critical concern for any early detection test is whether sensitivity is maintained across cancer stages, particularly Stage I and II disease where surgical intervention is most likely to be curative. ColoSTAT® demonstrated equivalent sensitivity across all CRC stages with no statistically significant difference between early and late-stage disease.
Source: Internal data, Rhythm Biosciences 2025
Incorporate ColoSTAT® in your practice today
Contact us →
Disclaimer
ColoSTAT® is a blood-based in-vitro diagnostic aid used for the triage of colorectal cancer (CRC). It is not diagnostic and needs professional interpretation. ColoSTAT® is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy, or for surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.
For Gastroenterologists & Specialists
Why ColoSTAT® Matters for Your Practice
In Australia colonoscopy services are increasingly under pressure, driven by high volumes of symptomatic referrals but relatively low diagnostic yield for colorectal cancer. This creates a challenge in prioritising patients most likely to benefit from timely investigation, particularly across both public and private practice settings. ColoSTAT® supports smarter triage upstream by providing additional clinical information before referral — helping prioritise higher-risk patients and optimise the use of colonoscopy capacity.
Why Use ColoSTAT®
- Improves referral quality: Helps identify patients more likely to benefit from colonoscopy
- Supports prioritisation: Enables more effective triage of symptomatic patients
- Reduces low-yield procedures: Supports more appropriate use of colonoscopy capacity
- Complements FIT: Adds value in FIT-negative but symptomatic patients
- Supports clinical decision-making: Provides additional information alongside standard assessment
EVIDENCE SNAPSHOT
These results demonstrate the ability of ColoSTAT® to support risk stratification in symptomatic patients, particularly in guiding prioritisation for colonoscopy.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Early-Stage Sensitivity | 90.7% |
| Late-Stage Sensitivity | 89.4% |
| Negative Predictive Value | 99.4% |
Source: Internal data, Rhythm Biosciences 2025
Interested in incorporating ColoSTAT® into your practice?
Contact us →
Disclaimer
ColoSTAT® is a blood-based in-vitro diagnostic aid used for the triage of colorectal cancer (CRC). It is not diagnostic and needs professional interpretation. ColoSTAT® is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy, or for surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.
ColoSTAT® ACCESS PROGRAM
Be among the first clinicians to integrate ColoSTAT® into symptomatic pathways.
The ColoSTAT® Access Program provides early clinical access, supports independent decision-making, and support its use in real-world practice.
