DNA technology has lead to a stool test that is two times more effective at finding cancer and precancerous polyps than blood stool sample analysis or the older version of DNA testing.
By detecting precancerous lesions in the early satges, colon cancer can be prevented. Blood, as an indicator of colon cancer, has some significant limitations because most colon polopys don't bleed. However, all precancerous colon polyps shed cells. Those cells contain abnormal DNA that when analyzed, can lead to the diagnosis of dangerous colon polyps.
The study that was supported by the National Institutes of Health was reported in the Oct. 7, 2008 Annals of Internal Medicine. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States despite the widespread availability of multiple screening tools. Precancerous polyps develop in the lining of the colon 5 to 10 years before changing into a cancerous lesion.
Less than half of all the adults in the United States have undergone cancer screening. The new screening method is already available for patient use.
