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Article: DNA test for colorectal cancer yields disappointing results
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- December 22, 2004
- Author:
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The Associated Press
AP Worldstream
12-22-2004
Dateline: NEW ORLEANS
The first big trial of a DNA test to detect colon cancer proved disappointing to those hoping for an easy and accurate new screening method.
The test, which looks for signs of mutant genes in stool, found just half the colon and rectal cancers detected by colonoscopy. It did find four times as many cancers as a widely used test that looks for blood in stool, but the DNA test is too expensive _ $400 to $800 (euro300 to euro600) _ and too inaccurate to recommend, specialists said.
Earlier research had suggested that DNA tests might be a less expensive and more appealing option than colonoscopy, in which a long, flexible tube ...