New blood test for colon cancer screening: Questions remain

In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new screening test for colorectal cancer, commonly referred to as colon cancer. This test is unique because it’s blood-based – meaning no more stool samples or the dreaded colonoscopy. Patients can have the test done as part of their annual blood tests, and they don’t have to think twice about it. But what it lacks in discomfort it makes up for in inexactitude. This newly approved test is not as sensitive or as accurate as a colonoscopy or as a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which can detect hidden blood in stool, potentially indicating colon cancer. Rates of colon cancer have declined significantly since the 1980s with an even bigger drop in recent years, according to the American Cancer Society. From 2008-2010 the rates of colon cancer fell by 4% each year. This decline can be attributed both to changes in lifestyle habits and to an increase in colon cancer screenings. Colon cancer is still the second leading cause of death in the United States among men and women, but it has potential to move down the rungs of the mortality ladder. Over a third of those eligible for screening are currently not getting tested. There are people who have never been tested, and that population needs to be reached if we want the decline of colon cancer to continue. Few symptoms appear in early stages of colon cancer, which is one reason these screening tests are so important. Dr. Andrew Chan, associate professor of medicin...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Cancer Health Health care Prevention Screening Source Type: news