-There is a new and noninvasive method for detecting stomach and colon cancer.
· Colon cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer. Colon cancer affects over 150,000 Americans each year and 40% of them will die from the cancer.
· According to a report in the latest issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers describe a new stool test that analyzes DNA from fecal specimens for the presence colon or stomach cancer.

· The new test detects cancer causing changes to certain genes that can be found in a stool specimen.

· The study authors analyzed 296 fecal specimens from patients with and without stomach and colon cancer.

The stool test identified 75% of the patients who had colon cancer. It was positive in 57% of patient who had stomach cancer.

· A colonoscopy is currently the standard test for diagnosing and screening of colon cancer.
It is uncomfortable and invasive. Although it is recommended for everyone at age 50, many people try to avoid it.
· This is an important report in that it shows us that soon we should have alternative and easier way for looking for colon cancer.

· Currently there is no standard screening test for stomach cancer. This report is also important in that it demonstrates that the fecal DNA test may be a viable option to screen for stomach cancer.

Cristopher Geiler, MD
August 24th 2009

Reference
J Natl Cancer Inst 2009.