The American Cancer Society has updated its guidelines to include a blood test as an approved option for colon cancer, something that can help according to a local provider.
Internal Medicine and Pediatric Provider Dr. Matthew King said the new screening method is less invasive. King said the new tests will let more at-risk individuals secure piece of mind, without the unpleasant inconvenience of a traditional colonoscopy.
“The American Cancer Society has updated the guidelines because they’ve recognized that there are lots of people who still go without getting cancer screening,” King said. “In an effort to try and decrease colon cancer deaths, they’ve added another type of test to the approved armamentarium.”
King said a colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it allows doctors to directly see the colon and perform biopsies on any suspicious lesions. King said other options include stool-based tests like Cologuard, which is typically performed every three years, or simpler annual tests that check for blood.
“I certainly have patients who refuse all types of tests involving invasive tests like a colonoscopy or handling their own stool,” King said. “So the blood test will be palatable for some of those people and will improve screening prevalence.”
King said the blood-based screening is expected to have sensitivity and specificity rates above 90 percent. King said any positive result from a blood or stool test requires a follow-up colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. King said traditional colonoscopies are usually entirely covered by insurance.
“Obviously cost and opportunity are always the things that we try to take into most account, from my own finances as well as most other people’s finances,” King said. “So the test that the insurance will cover is usually the best test.”
King said health experts now emphasize starting screenings at age 45 because colon cancer rates have increased in younger individuals. King said catching the disease at an early stage allows for easier removal during a colonoscopy or through less demanding surgical procedures.
“That getting screened is a much better way of addressing the problem than worrying about it and ignoring it for long periods of time,” King said. “That would be my recommendation is get out there, do it, be aware that it may involve a little bit of unpleasantness, but it’s certainly worthwhile.”
King said patients with a family history of colon cancer should begin their screening process 10 years prior to the age their relative was diagnosed.
The rates of colon cancer among young adults are increasing some three percent every year, according to the Cancer Research Institute.
King said it provides a sufficient, albeit less accurate, alternative for patients looking to avoid invasive procedures.
