Study Finds Promising Results in Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer Through Blood Test
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in adults in the United States. It has been a challenge to find effective and accessible screening methods for early detection. However, a recent study has found promising results in using a blood test to accurately detect CRC.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, involved testing the blood of approximately 7,800 people at average risk of CRC. The participants did not have inflammatory bowel disease or any genetic syndromes that increase their vulnerability to the disease. The blood test works by identifying circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) – fragments of DNA released by cancer cells.
The results of the study showed that the blood test had a sensitivity rate of 83% and a specificity rate of 90%. This means that it can reliably detect a negative result in healthy individuals. While the blood test’s sensitivity rate is not as high as that of gold-standard colonoscopies, it is comparable to at-home stool tests.
Speaking about the study, William Grady, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, explained that the goal was to improve CRC screening compliance and prevent colorectal cancer-related deaths. Blood-based screening tests are more popular than colonoscopies and stool tests, so the researchers developed one specifically for CRC.
One of the advantages of the blood test is that it provides an additional screening option for individuals who may be hesitant to undergo invasive procedures like colonoscopies. Grady emphasized that having more screening options can increase participation rates in cancer screening programs.
However, it is important to note that even if a blood test comes back positive for CRC, a colonoscopy is still necessary to find precancerous lesions that may not be detected by the blood test. Colonoscopies provide physicians with a direct view of the entire colon and rectum, allowing them to remove any tumors or polyps that could potentially turn into cancer in the future.
The study also compared the blood test to two types of stool tests commonly used for CRC screening. The results showed that the blood test had similar sensitivity and specificity rates to these stool tests. FIT stool tests had a sensitivity rate of 76% and a specificity rate of 85%, while Cologuard had higher rates of 92% sensitivity and 90% specificity.
Early detection is crucial in preventing colorectal cancer-related deaths. The researchers behind this study believe that implementing blood-based screening tests can help increase compliance with CRC screenings and ultimately save lives. Currently, a third of the screening-eligible population in the United States remains unscreened.
In conclusion, the study’s findings provide promising evidence that a blood test can accurately detect colorectal cancer. While it may not be as effective as colonoscopies, it offers an alternative screening option that is less invasive and more popular among individuals. However, it is important to remember that a positive blood test still requires a colonoscopy for further evaluation. With increased accessibility to different screening methods, it is hoped that more individuals will undergo regular screenings and prevent colorectal cancer-related deaths.