Experimental blood test finds high-risk colorectal lesions before cancer develops
Several blood tests are already commercially available for colorectal cancer screening, but the new test is also highly sensitive for precancerous polyps known as advanced adenomas. Removing those polyps can prevent the cancer from developing.
An experimental blood test for detecting colorectal cancer may also help prevent it, researchers say. Several blood tests already exist for colorectal cancer screening, but this new test is particularly sensitive for precancerous polyps called advanced adenomas. Removing these polyps can stop cancer from developing. Testing the assay in over 1,500 adults from colonoscopy screening programs in China, Japan, and Spain, researchers found the test detected 92% of stage I, II, or III colorectal cancers and 81% of advanced adenomas.
The test was 85% accurate at identifying people without precancerous lesions. Developing a non-invasive test that can accurately detect colorectal precancerous lesions could be extremely valuable for preventing colorectal cancer instead of just detecting it. The test can distinguish between low-risk adenomas, high-risk adenomas, and cancers, potentially allowing doctors to risk-stratify patients.
Doctors still recommend colonoscopy as the gold-standard screening method, but this blood test could help identify those who might need urgent colonoscopy or might not need one at all. While the test is promising, researchers need to conduct larger-scale trials to confirm its effectiveness.
Written by urgent.news from ETHealthworld's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
