New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Detection
A new blood test has been found to detect colon cancer with more than 80% accuracy and rule it out for 90% of healthy people. This test could be a game-changer in improving colorectal cancer screening rates.
Key Points
- The blood test has a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 90.4%
- Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. and the second-deadliest type
- Blood tests are not a replacement for colonoscopies, which remain the gold standard for screening
Pros
- High accuracy in detecting colon cancer
- Potential to improve colorectal cancer screening rates
- Convenient and easy to complete compared to colonoscopies
Cons
- Blood tests cannot prevent cancer, only detect it
- Positive test results require further evaluation with colonoscopy