The guaiac-based FOBT, which detects blood (haemoglobin) in the faeces, is currently used to screen individuals for colorectal cancer. However, although this test is cheap and relatively easy to do, it is not very accurate and has a low clinical sensitivity and specificity since cancer is not the only cause of a positive result. Nevertheless, individuals who are positive in this test are followed-up by colonoscopy, a more expensive procedure that has some associated risks.
Use of a simple test, in addition to traditional screening tests, identifies more accurately individuals who might have colorectal cancer, according to researchers reporting online today in THE LANCET ONCOLOGY. This test, known as an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FOBT), when used for individuals who have previously tested positive on initial screening with the more traditional guaiac FOBT, "could decrease substantially the number of false positives in a screening programme for colorectal cancer.
Article Date: 07 Jan 2006
Cancer/Oncology News
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