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Article: DNA Test for Colon Cancer Disappoints
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- December 23, 2004
- Author:
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The Associated Press
AP Online
12-23-2004
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 _ and too inaccurate to recommend, a specialist 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 is inserted in the rectum.
The study in ...