Until recently, being screened for colorectal cancer meant an invasive colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical tests that required patients to collect several stool samples.
Until now.
Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product that does a better job of detecting precancerous cells, one that is also easier for both doctors and patients to use.
New test makes colon screening easier
Cologuard, produced by Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences Corp. in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, is the first non-invasive test that detects the altered DNA of the abnormal cells that can become cancerous along with certain blood markers, providing a real breakthrough in early detection.
“Every day, normal cells, along with abnormal cells from cancer or precancers, are shed from the colon wall and picked up by stool as it passes through the colon. Cologuard is designed to detect altered DNA from these abnormal cells, as well as blood from precancerous polyps or cancerous tumors,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., mainly because of problems with early detection, something Fairchild said Cologuard addresses.
Early detection is key
Two out of every five people are not being screened, she said, which leaves them vulnerable to not being diagnosed until later stages, when treatment is more difficult and survival rates decrease.
“The ability to identify precancers is especially important because most colon cancers begin as precancerous polyps that take several years to develop. Early identification and removal can prevent polyps from ever turning into cancer,” Conroy added.
According to Exact Sciences, Cologuard has been more effective in detecting cancers and precancerous polyps “” around 20 percent more effective ““ than previous fecal immunochemical (FIT) tests.
How Cologuard works
After a doctor orders the test, a Cologuard collection kit is sent to the patient’s home. There, they collect a single stool sample. Unlike previous tests, which also required several samples, there are no medication or dietary restrictions, bowel preparation, sedation or other issues. The sample is sent back to the Exact Sciences lab via a prepaid mailer, and results are provided to patients’ healthcare provider within a few weeks.
“It’s a lot simpler than doing a colonoscopy and even easier than doing the other fecal immunochemical tests that are commonly offered,” said Dr. Sarah Flora of St. Elizabeth Physicians. “Both the FIT tests and colonoscopy require special prepping, of course colonoscopy prepping is a bit more extensive requiring the colon to be cleaned so it can be visualized with a camera. Cologuard doesn’t require any of that prep.”
Flora has been using the new test since shortly after it earned FDA approval last August. St. Elizabeth is the first healthcare system in the area to provide it.
“[It] gives us another option for colon cancer screening, which is especially useful in people who may not be able to undergo a colonoscopy procedure for one reason or another or they’re even just afraid to do so,” added Flora.
It’s also a quicker route to peace of mind, if the tests comes back negative, or immediate care if a positive result returns.
“No matter what test is chosen, colon cancer screening is important and save lives,” Flora said.
