Colon cancer deaths dropped by half for people who did at-home, no-laxative test program

Colonoscopies are the top-recommended screening for colorectal cancer, which is is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women.In adults aged 50-64, rates are climbing.Yet some people avoid their screenings due to fear, inconvenience or discomfort — and not even from the rectal camera.

(The pre-procedure laxative solution meant to flush the bowels out is infamous.)But a new study out of Spain found that a non-invasive test — that can be done entirely at home — can also seriously save lives from colon cancer.“It’s extremely easy for patients.It’s non-invasive, and it’s quick and simple,” Dr.

Alexis Grucela, a colorectal surgeon at Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital, told The Post.This study looked at people age 50 to 69 who participated in a 21-year program.During that time, every two years, they did an fecal immunochemical test, or FIT.No prep is needed for an FIT.

There’s no disruption to drinking, eating or meds normally taken.Simply order a kit and collect a stool sample at home, then return the container for lab testing, often by mail.Over the course of the study, deaths among adults aged 50 to 69 who completed the program dropped by 50%.“It shows that once everybody started utilizing the testing, it could have an impact,” Grucela said.

Researchers examined data from 2.2 million people.“This is a pretty impactful study because it’s such a large population that was studied.”An FIT, sometimes called a fecal blood test, looks for blood in the stool, a sign of colon cancer.Grucela says “it’s a lot less costly” than multitarget stool DNA tests, like Cologuard, which find DNA in the stool.FITs “doesn’t require insurance approval or authorization.

It’s more ubiquitous, and it could be used at any time by any provider,” she added.There’s another test, gFOBT, that detects blood in stool, but requires a bit more prep.Certain foods and medicines must be avoided, and the test is a bit longer — samp...