Colon Cancer Detection via Stool DNA testing

Stool DNA testing has recently been developed as a method for detecting colon cancer. The test actually involves the collection and analysis of fecal matter in order to verify the presence of cancerous cells. The passing of stools through the colon causes cells to pass out with the fecal matter. These cells can be tested for the presence of colorectal cancer.

An important use of the stool DNA testing method involves a new approach for colon cancer screening, which has drawn the attention of many healthcare experts and professionals around the world in order to advance this initiating innovation.

A stool DNA test can effectively be used to identify recognizable DNA changes in many cells that are present in the colon that are continually shed from the lining of the overall colon through feces, diarrhea or different forms of fecal matter. The changes can often give signs of a developing cancerous tumor, in which a stool DNA test can identify several of these markers and prove the presence of a cancerous tumor, precancerous polyps or colon cancer itself. Many studies have shown that routinely stool DNA tests can effectively detect these types of changes in stool and indicate the presence of malignant cancerous cells in the colon, thereby obtaining the necessary attention in order to treat this form of pre-cancer with the best forms of treatment available and save thousands of people’s lives around the world. Ideally, multiple genetic markers are tested on the stool sample to ensure a more accurate result and a more powerful rate of exclusion.

The method for using stool DNA testing in order to check for colon cancer cells has been approved by the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society, the American College Society, as well as many other cancer-associated institutions around the world. The FDA has not, as yet, approved stool genetic analysis for colorectal cancer. However, many studies have been submitted to the FDA with evidence supporting its efficacy and it is likely that it will soon be approved. In Australia, the Australia National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has also endorsed this method of cancer screening.

The advantages are many: first and foremost, this procedure is entirely non invasive. Unlike endoscopies (mainly colonoscopies in this case) which cause discomfort, require sedation and often have side effects due to the irritation caused by the biopsy, stool DNA testing is totally pain free and non invasive.

Medical experts have supported and in some cases even urged the professional team of healthcare researchers to effectively undergo more processes with the goal of expanding the use of stool DNA testing both for personal reasons and for cancer-related medical conditions, since its effectiveness is so prevalent that it could save millions of lives of people who have cancerous colon cells and aid to alleviate personal circumstances and situations where an effective DNA test is necessary.

It is recommend that people over the age of 55 to routinely take tests to exclude the presence of colon cancer and to ensure that no cancerous cells are present in the colon, this simple procedure and initiative from the individual can save his or her life and provide many years of enjoyment during retirement with no medical conditions present whatsoever.