Easier Colorectal Cancer Screening?

Few escape the risks of colorectal cancer. Many life conditions and choices can increase the likelihood of death by colorectal cancer, such as regularly refusing to eat fruits, vegetables or high fiber foods, are obese, have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, family history of cancer, and everyone age 50 and up. A new variation on a simple and low cost screening test can help lead more patients toward maintaining great health for a longer life.

Going to the annual well adult health exam just got a little easier. It's a familiar routine of the little conversation with the doctor, do a few tasks like peeing in a cup, get a blood draw done to check cholesterol and more. Sooner or later, patients begin to also take home a fecal occult blood test (FOBT).

Prior to mid-February of 2010, completing the take-home task of a stool sample kit has been nothing less than frustrating and anxiety ridden. Patients were tasked with three stool samples to complete the colon cancer screening test and then get it all back to the doctor office.

Easier for Patients

Now patients get a kit that is easier to use, providing just one tiny stool sample. So far, patients are better about taking this test than prior fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), according to the February 5, 2010 comments by Drew Cervasio, President of Polymedco, Inc. Patients also like that no special food or medical procedures are required. The test is just completed at home and returned to the doctor office. Additionally with this test, it is best if it is possible to bring the completed FOBT kit back to the doctor's office on the same day as it is done and sealed, if possible.

In February of 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new test and the automated system, called the OC-Sensor Diana. It is a new generation of better detection for the signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. Such evidence can be signs of colorectal cancer, polyps and colitis.

More Accurate Results

Not only is it easier for patients to complete, but the new test is more accurate and sensitive than traditional screening options, according to Polymedco, Inc. The test looks at patients' stool for tiny signs of human hemoglobin. The National Library of Medicine says human hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells carrying oxygen. It can lead to early detection of deadly colorectal cancer at its most early stages, if results show need for further testing like colonoscopy.

According to the CDC (Center Disease Control), current recommendations for colon cancer screening is to begin around age 50 for both men and women. Doctors may recommend people to get tested younger if there is a family history of cancer, or if patients have Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic hemorrhoids, are obese, consume alcohol, smoke, or have low fiber diets.

Sources

Hemoglobin, updated October 26, 2010 at
MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
Polymedco's Automated Immunoassay Fecal Occult..., February 5, 2010 at News-Medical.Net
Well Adult Fecal Occult Blood Testing, revised 2009 by Group Health Cooperative