New Blood Test Could Lead to Easier Colon Cancer Detection

January 24th, 2010 • Related • Filed Under • by Debbie Dragon

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. While the cancer is pretty evenly spread, men do have just a slightly higher risk over women in developing the disease. Over our lifetimes, each of us has about a 1 in 19 chance of being diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease. In 2009 there were approximately 50,000 US deaths due to this cancer. Promising statistics show that deaths, determined to be caused by colon cancer, have been consistently falling over the last 20 years. Screening and early detection, as well as polyp removal has helped to lower death rates. Even better news for those at risk of this disease is a new blood test. If the test is proven to be accurate the death rate from colon cancer could go even lower.

The new blood test, a first of its kind, researchers say could be the medical link to detecting colon cancer in its very early stages. The blood test is two-fold, allowing for the detection of the cancer as well as the polyps that can lead to cancer.

Researchers say the blood test looks for what is known as the CD24 protein level. This protein is produced during the early stages of the disease, so discovering of the protein can lead to early detection. Researchers hope that the test can be used as a precursor to a colonoscopy. Many people are hesitant to having a colonoscopy, but not a blood test. Blood tests are obviously much less invasive and easier to convince patients to take. The blood test results would assist doctors and practitioners in determining who would need to then go on to have a colonoscopy.

So far the blood test has gone through just one study. It has been given to 150 patients who were going to undergo a colonoscopy. Results were quite promising, showing a 92.3% accuracy in detecting an abnormality and just slightly lower accuracy for detecting the presence of polyps in these patients.

While these results are good, further wide-spread studies will need to be conducted before the tests can be approved for early colon cancer detection. Researchers are hopeful that new studies will be conclusive and that the blood test will be a breakthrough in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.