Simple Test Prevents Colon Cancer
Noel Peterson, ND
A recently published study has just concluded that a simple, inexpensive, but seldom used test can detect lesions in the colon before they turn cancerous. This test, known as the fecal occult blood test, looks for traces of blood in a persons' stool, which is a sign of cancer or of pre-cancerous polyps. When polyps are detected, they can be removed before they become cancerous. The study took 18 years and followed 65,000 patients. It was conducted by Dr. Jack Mandel and published in the November 30, 2000 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
The American Cancer Society estimates that less than a third of all Americans over 50 have had any colon cancer screening. Colon cancer begins as harmless polyps, and if left alone can progress to cancer. Colon cancer kills 65,000 Americans per year, making it the second most common cause of cancer deaths. If detected in its earliest stages, patients have a five year survival rate of 90%. But if detected in stage D, a later stage of cancer, the five year survival rate drops to 8%. The fecal occult blood test detects traces of blood released by these polyps long before they turn cancerous, while they can still be easily removed by colonoscopy.
Dr. Earnest Hawk, chief of the gastrointestinal cancer group at the National Cancer Institutes division of cancer prevention, said that not only does the fecal occult blood test detect colon cancer and reduce the death rate, but that this is the first study to prove the test prevents cancer in the first place. "Not only do you not get stage D cancer, you don't get cancer at all."
Other tests are available but are much more expensive. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, where a flexible scope is used to examine the entire colon, can cost upwards of $1500 and are often avoided by patients because of the discomfort and inconvenience.
The fecal occult blood test costs $18 and does not require an office visit. Medical experts say that it does not matter which test is performed as long as people are screened, though fecal occult blood testing is the only test proven to prevent colon cancer. "We have the means, we have the technology, to virtually eradicate this disease," Mandel said, "To me, that is quite exciting."
If you are as excited as Dr. Mandel about eliminating your risk for colon cancer, contact the Center. We can mail you and your loved ones a kit today.