March will once again be the month of mobilization against colorectal cancer. The opportunity to remember that this cancer remains the 3rd most frequent cancer and the 2nd most deadly cancer, while it can be cured 9 times out of 10 if it is detected in time.
To hope to detect more cancers, the health authorities are relying heavily on a new immunological test, which will replace from April the good old Hemoccult® test, not reliable enough according to gastroenterologists.
It was therefore necessary to wait more than 6 years between the green light granted by the High Authority for Health to the immunological test (in December 2008) and its use within the framework of the national program of organized screening for colorectal cancer. The French Society of Gastroenterology therefore heaves a sigh of relief because this test “detects 8 out of 10 cancers, at a stage most often curable, instead of 4 out of 10 cancers for the old test, and also 4 times more precancerous lesions, which can then be removed during a colonoscopy, thus ensuring real cancer prevention “.
The advantages of the new generation test
It is simpler. The immunological test is more practical to use because it only requires one stool sample compared to 6 previously (which is still less restrictive). The sampling technique is more ergonomic and limits the handling of stool.
It is more efficient. This new test has a higher sensitivity and allows a better detection of cancers and precancerous lesions. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), this technology can detect 2 to 2.5 times more cancers and 3 to 4 times more adenomas (benign tumors).
It is more reliable. It is indeed much more sensitive to the presence of human blood in the stool, one of the signs of precancerous lesions (polyps) in the colon or rectum. Thanks to the use of antibodies, it cannot be made positive by the presence of animal blood which would come from food.
Starting in April
This immunological test will be offered gradually, starting in April, to the 16 million people affected by the colorectal cancer screening. This simplification of the test should make it easier to reach the rate of 45% of participation in screening, knowing that in 2013-2014, only 29.8% of the people concerned took the test.
And you, will the arrival of this new, simpler test encourage you to get tested? Talk about it on the forum.
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