Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer that affects both men and women globally.

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 104,610 new cases of colon cancer and 43,340 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States in 2020. Colon cancer is a preventable type of cancer, and regular screening can help detect the disease early when it is more manageable to treat.

Innovators in the healthcare industry are continually trying to develop better and less invasive screening methods for colon cancer.

Recently, a groundbreaking colon cancer screening test has been developed that is easy to use and has a high accuracy rate. In this article, we explore the new colon cancer screening method and how it can help detect this type of cancer early.

What is the groundbreaking screening method for colon cancer?

The new screening method for colon cancer is called a blood test that looks for colon cancer-specific DNA changes in the bloodstream.

It is a type of liquid biopsy that is non-invasive and can detect signs of cancer much earlier than traditional methods such as colonoscopies or fecal blood tests.

The test is called CancerSEEK, and it uses a combination of tumor DNA mutations and protein biomarkers to detect eight common cancer types. The study that revealed this screening method was published in the journal ‘Science’ in early 2018.

How does the CancerSEEK test work?

The CancerSEEK test is a combination of two different tests, DNA sequencing and protein biomarker testing.

The DNA sequencing test analyzes the patient’s blood sample for mutations in 16 different genes that are often mutated in various types of cancer, including colon cancer.

The protein biomarker test looks for biomarkers that are also commonly found in the blood of cancer patients.

For colon cancer, the CancerSEEK test looks at a biomarker called hemoglobin A1C, which is elevated in the blood of patients with colon cancer.

Both tests are incredibly accurate on their own, and when combined, they create a highly precise screening method for colon cancer that has a 90% overall accuracy rate at detecting stage 1 to 3 colon cancer and 77% accuracy rate for detecting stage 4 colon cancer.

What are the benefits of using the CancerSEEK test?

There are many benefits to using the CancerSEEK test to detect colon cancer. First, it is non-invasive, meaning that it does not require colon preparation or any procedure that may be uncomfortable or invasive.

Additionally, the test is more accurate than traditional colon cancer screening methods.

The test can identify cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable. When colon cancer is detected early, it is easier to treat, and the odds of successful treatment and recovery are much higher.

The CancerSEEK test can also be used to monitor the patient’s cancer detection over time, making it a useful tool in cancer management and prevention.

Who can benefit from the CancerSEEK test?

Any individual over the age of 50, or anyone who has a family history of colon cancer, should consider regular colon cancer screening.

The CancerSEEK test could be especially useful for patients who may be hesitant to undergo invasive colonoscopy, or those who may not be candidates for colonoscopies.

Further studies will be required to determine the overall usefulness and cost-effectiveness of the CancerSEEK test for colon cancer screening. But, the initial research suggests that the test could be a game-changer in cancer detection and prevention.

Conclusion

Early detection of colon cancer is critical for successful treatment and recovery. The CancerSEEK test is a groundbreaking screening method that can detect colon cancer through a simple blood test.

This non-invasive screening method is highly accurate at detecting colon cancer in its early stages and can be used for cancer management and prevention.

If you are over 50 or have a family history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about regular colon cancer screening and discuss the potential benefits of using the CancerSEEK test as part of your screening plan.