Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Gene-based blood test for colon cancer promising

Researchers at the Baylor Research Institute gastrointestinal cancer research lab in Dallas state that early tests from trials indicate that screening checks for microRNA miR-21 in the blood "accurately spotted up to 92 percent of patients with colorectal cancer."  In addition, the test also accurately identified up to 82% of patients with advanced colorectal polyps.

While physicians are cautiously optimistic with these preliminary results, this blood test would be a less invasive screening method compared to colonoscopies.

For more information about this study, click here.


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