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New 90-Second Test Could Revolutionize Bowel Disease Screening
4 Dec
Summary
- A rapid 90-second test can rule out bowel disease in 80% of patients.
- The non-invasive test collects rectal mucus, avoiding laxatives and sedation.
- Developed by Origin Sciences, it could significantly reduce NHS colonoscopy pressure.
A new, rapid 90-second test developed by Origin Sciences offers a significant advancement in bowel disease screening, accurately ruling out the condition in 80% of cases. This non-invasive method collects a small rectal mucus sample, bypassing the discomfort of traditional bowel preparation, laxatives, and sedation associated with colonoscopies. The test analyzes collected material for cancer-linked genetic and epigenetic markers, providing clear biological signals that can distinguish between cancerous conditions, pre-cancerous polyps, and benign issues.
The study, involving over 800 patients across four NHS sites and published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the test's potential to alleviate pressure on NHS services by potentially clearing 80% of patients referred for colonoscopy. This innovation could transform bowel cancer diagnostics by enabling a shift from late detection to true prevention, particularly in light of rising diagnoses among younger populations.
Experts believe this new approach could fundamentally change bowel disease screening protocols. While not a replacement for colonoscopy, the Oricol test's effectiveness in detecting polyps and advanced adenomas, which can develop into cancer, marks a crucial step forward. This development is particularly timely given the concerning increase in bowel cancer diagnoses in individuals under 50.
