New blood test for Bowel Cancer

totalhealth has recently published articles on blood tests and other diagnostic tests. The timing is therefore good to learn of a new blood test for colon and bowel cancer. Does this test work? If so, what are the implications?

London bowel cancer expert, Austin Obichere says that this new test for colorectal surgery is good news. The Epi proColon test will help us to identify bowel cancer sufficiently soon for doctors to be able to treat the disease. He says:

“This is truly an exciting development, taking a further significant step towards a simple test (blood or stool) to identify colorectal cancer in its early form when  potentially surgically curable. Arguably, this approach remains the “Holy Grail” in colorectal cancer screening.

The concept of using DNA methylation biomarkers for bowel cancer screening is not new and has been explored by previous researchers in this field without much clinical success. There are of course numerous other known biomarkers and those yet to be discovered, that play an important role in cancerous growth and spread. This novel new strategy indicating detection of 70 percent of bowel cancers is promising and may have widespread clinical application if the results of ongoing prospective clinical trials mirror the initial findings.

A word of warning however, is that not all colorectal cancers express DNA methylation detectable in a blood sample and a negative EpiProColon test does not necessarily mean that the person in question does not have bowel cancer. Furthermore, those who test positive for bowel cancer using this novel method will certainly require further investigation with the “Gold Standard” colonoscopy, not only to obtain tissue diagnosis but also to locate the site of the tumour as this would determine what type of operation your surgeon is likely to advise.  Colonoscopy for bowel cancer screening is currently being offered within the NHS bowel cancer screening programme for patients between the ages of 60-69 who test positive for the faecal occult blood test sent to them by post. The procedure (colonoscopy) is performed by Nationally accredited bowel cancer screening colonoscopists at your local bowel cancer screening centre.

Should you have any concerns please contact Austin Obichere, or click the link if you would like to arrange a test.

A substance that can be measured to help healthcare professionals to assess normal processes, disease processes or a person's response to treatment. Full medical glossary
A fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. Full medical glossary
A common name for the large and/or small intestines. Full medical glossary
Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. Full medical glossary
Malignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. Full medical glossary
The large intestine. Full medical glossary
Examination of the colon and rectum with a colonoscope, an imaging instrument that is inserted through the anus. Full medical glossary
The process of determining which condition a patient may have. Full medical glossary
The building blocks of the genes in almost all living organisms - spelt out in full as deoxyribonucleic acid. Full medical glossary
Relating to the rectum, the lowest part of the bowel leading to the anus. Full medical glossary
A way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to Full medical glossary
A group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling. Full medical glossary