Can Bowel Cancer Screening Reduce Patient Death?

A new study from the University of South Australia researchers found the number of people that die from bowel or colorectal cancer (CRC) would be much higher without pre-diagnostic colonoscopies. Now more than 700,000 people die from bowel cancer each year according to the university. The researchers from the University’s Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health looked at data from 12,906 bowel cancer patients that indicate the fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) with a follow-up colonoscopy plays a key role in catching the disease early before symptoms appear. Results show that having one pre-diagnostic colonoscopy was associated with a 17% reduction in cancer deaths; a 27% reduction with two pre-diagnostic colonoscopy procedures and 45% for three or more. Of the 12,906 records analyzed, 37% of the patients had pre-diagnostic colonoscopies and were more likely to live longer than those who were diagnosed after experiencing cancer symptoms. In a release, Dr. Ming Li, one of the study leaders said, “findings show the value of the National Bowel Screening Program which is now being rolled out to everyone in Australia over the age of 50 on a two-yearly basis. It involves doing a simple, non-invasive FOBT which, if positive, is followed up with a colonoscopy." But while colonoscopies continue to be the most effective screening method for colorectal cancer, too many adults who should be screened refuse to have it done as a primary screening metho...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: IVD Source Type: news