For many years, a colonoscopy has been considered the gold standard in testing for colorectal cancer. But a recent study suggests a cheaper, less invasive test might be just as effective.
Research published in the scientific journal The Lancet found that fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) was comparable to colonoscopy when it came to reducing deaths from colon and rectal cancers over a 10-year period.
FIT checks for blood in the stool, which can indicate the presence of colorectal cancer or polyps. Patients collect stool samples at home and send them in for analysis, making these tests less invasive and less time-consuming than colonoscopies.
The study was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered the most rigorous type of medical study.
It followed 57,000 people in Spain who were in their 50s and 60s at the start of the 10-year study period. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Those in one group each had one colonoscopy during the 10-year period, while the other group had FIT every two years.
Researchers found that the rate of colorectal cancer-related death after 10 years was 0.22% for those who underwent colonoscopy. That compares to 0.24% for the FIT group.
Patients also were more likely to accept FIT than colonoscopies. The participation rate was 40% for FIT, compared with 32% for colonoscopy.
“This indicates that the test is as effective as colonoscopy in reducing colorectal cancer mortality in screening [programs],” notes a summary of the study findings from Hospital Clinic Barcelona.
Colorectal cancer is among the most common types of cancer and one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths. However, when the disease is caught early, treatment is often more successful.
In the summary, Dr. Antoni Castells — a study co-author and medical director of Hospital Clinic Barcelona — says:
“These findings are highly significant, as they demonstrate that the non-invasive [fecal] occult blood test may be a viable alternative to colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.”
The researchers also note that FIT is a more comfortable procedure and more cost-effective, which means it has the potential to be more accessible to a wider swath of the population.
While regular screenings are key to catching cancer early, prevention is essential, too. Find out more in “4 Foods That May Help You Avoid Cancer — and Why.”
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