Catching Colon Cancer at Home -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. In the U.S. 1 in 17 people will develop colorectal cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be about 143,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2012 and that almost 52,000 people will die from the disease. Colorectal cancer is more common in older Americans. About 60% of newly diagnosed people are age 65 or older. (SOURCE: The National Cancer Institute)

SCREENING: Screening is recommended for everyone beginning at age 50. Depending on the screening method used and individual risk factors, these tests should be repeated at 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year intervals. (SOURCE: American Cancer Society)

More than 40% of adults age 50 and older have not been screened or are not up to date with colorectal cancer screening. (SOURCE: CDC)

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if caught early. Yet 60% of patients are diagnosed with the disease in its late stages, primarily due to poor screening compliance. (SOURCE: Mayo Clinic)

RISK FACTORS: No one knows exactly what causes colorectal cancer, but there are certain risk factors including age, colorectal polyps, family or personal history of colorectal cancer, genetic alterations, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, diet and smoking. (SOURCE: The National Cancer Institute)

EXACT SCIENCES TEST: If approved by the FDA, the Exact Sciences test will be a new, non-invasive, in-home stool-based DNA (sDNA) screening test for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Results of two studies suggest that the test is highly accurate and significantly more sensitive than other non-invasive tests at detecting pre-cancerous tumors and early stage cancer. The test was developed by Exact Sciences and the Mayo Clinic. The Exact Sciences test detects altered DNA from pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps anywhere in the colon. All colon cancers start as polyps, and as polyps develop, they shed cells into the stool that contain altered DNA associated with both colorectal pre-cancer and cancer. If a patient’s results are abnormal, a colonoscopy is required to confirm the results. MORE

Catching Colon Cancer at Home -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information

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Catching Colon Cancer at Home -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information

Catching Colon Cancer At Home | Medical News and Health Information