Simple, Affordable Test May Curb Colorectal Cancer Deaths.

Scientists have developed a test called fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that may help identify individuals at risk for developing colorectal cancer by finding traces of blood in the stool. An examination of data on 3,890 patients who received the FIT showed that of the 618 who tested positive for blood in their feces, 43 went on to be diagnosed with colon cancer within twelve months. Meanwhile, only eight of those who tested negative received such a diagnosis over the next year. Research leader Dr. Sarah Bailey writes, “[This] simple and inexpensive test performs exceptionally well in this group of patients with low-risk symptoms, to quickly and accurately tell us who is likely to not have colorectal cancer, and who should be referred for investigation.” British Journal of Cancer, January 2021