25 Aug New Home Test Allows For Non-Invasive Colon Cancer Screening
Exact Sciences Corp announced the introduction of a new home test, Cologuard®, for the detection of colon polyps and colon cancer. The test will be first offered to patients through the Mayo Clinic, whose researchers helped develop the new screening technology.
Cologuard® is designed to detect DNA alternations and blood released from cancerous and precancerous colon lesions. The test requires a prescription and express mail access. The Cologuard® kit is mailed to the patient who completes the test at home, and then is mailed back to a laboratory for processing. The patient should receive the results within two weeks. Patients who have a positive (abnormal) test result will require follow up colonoscopy.
Exact Sciences CEO, Kevin Conroy, stated in a telephone conference today that both the FDA and Medicare recommended preliminary approval of Cologuard®, and that a final approval decision is expected within 60 days. Mr. Conroy notes that the non-invasive nature of Cologuard® screening has the potential to detect many more polyps and early stage colon cancers than are currently discovered with traditional screening methods, hopefully resulting in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality from the disease.
References:
- http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/exact-sciences-announces-mayo-clinic-as-first-healthcare-system-to-offer-cologuard#more-49700
- http://www.cologuardtest.com/hcp/about-cologuard/performance-effectiveness
Last Updated on August 25, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD