The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Exact Sciences‘ Cologuard for use by eligible average-risk individuals ages 45 and older, the company announced today.

Previously, the FDA had approved use by those ages 50 and older.

“With the FDA now approving the use of Cologuard for this vulnerable 45-49 age group, we are giving health care providers a sensitive, noninvasive option that has the potential to help combat the rise of colorectal cancer rates among this younger group of people,” Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy said in a statement.

Exact Sciences reported it is seeking to combat colorectal cancer, which is on the rise among Americans under 50 years old.