Fecal DNA Test Outperforms Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal DNA testing is an option primarily for patients who are unwilling to undergo colonoscopy or for whom colonoscopy is unsafe.

Development of an effective, noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test has long been a priority. Although fecal DNA testing has shown potential in preliminary studies, the current report is the first large scale screening study among average-risk, asymptomatic individuals. The study was conducted at 81 U.S. sites and was sponsored by the developer of the fecal DNA test used in the study.

A total of 4404 subjects provided fecal samples for DNA analysis, completed nonrehydrated Hemoccult II cards for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and underwent colonoscopy. Fecal DNA analysis was performed on a subgroup of 2507 subjects, including all subjects with adenocarcinoma or advanced adenoma, plus randomly chosen subjects with no polyps, tubular…

Reviewing Author

Douglas K. Rex, MD