Colorectal Cancer News

New DNA Tests Aimed at Reducing Colon Cancer

Two new DNA-based tests could detect colon cancer much earlier and sharply reduce the rate of colon cancer prevalence. These tests could be an alternative for colonoscopies, and doctors may be able to refer people for a colonoscopy only if they first tested positive in one of the new DNA tests.

The tests are noninvasive, which doctors hope means more people would get screened.
One test developed by Exact Sciences looks in stool samples for the presence of four altered genes that are characteristic of colon cancer. The other, developed by Epigenomics AG looks in blood for changes in one gene, known as Septin 9.

Both tests would be less expensive than a colonoscopy. Trials are currently underway to test the success of both tests.

References
Wade, Nicholas. New DNA Tests Aimed at Reducing Colon Cancer. New York Times. 2010 October 28.

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