New DNA Stool Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
The US Federal Drug and Administration (FDA) has approved a new DNA-based stool for colorectal cancer screening. The test can be taken at home and has shown a 90% accuracy in detecting cancer.
Manufactured by Exact Sciences Corp, the test is called Colorguard, and tests for blood and abnormal DNA in fecal matter. There are other similar testing tools in the market but they’re not as accurate because they test for blood but can’t test for DNA. This is particularly important in lesions and cancers that don’t bleed much.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is looking into providing insurance coverage for the test for people in the age-group of 55 to 85 who have no symptoms of colorectal cancer and have an average risk for the disease.
Many Americans are scared to go through the invasive colonoscopy procedure that’s recommended; the DNA stool test would provide a noninvasive alternative to catch colon cancer early. More….
Category: News
