A new screening method for colorectal cancer detection based on blood analysis has offered encouraging results in a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study came from the ECLIPSE survey, which included more than 8,000 people aged 45 to 84 years in several countries.
Researchers compared the new blood screening method, which detects colorectal cancer signals in the blood through DNA released from tumors, with traditional colonoscopy. The results showed that the blood detection method detected colorectal cancer in 83.1% of cases before the onset of symptoms.
Of the 7,861 people who participated in the study, 83.1% of people confirmed to have colorectal cancer by colonoscopy had positive results on the new blood screening method, while 16.9% had negative results. The test was sensitive for colorectal cancers, including early stages, but less sensitive for advanced precancerous lesions.
William Grady, a gastroenterologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and a professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, comments: “Having a blood test that can be performed during doctor visits may offer the opportunity to diagnose more cases early.”
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated to cause approximately 53,010 deaths in 2024. While death rates among older adults have declined, there has been an increase of about 1% per year in people under age 55 since the 2000s. Despite efforts in prevention and early diagnosis, only 50% to 60% of people in groups at average risk of colorectal cancer receive regular screening.
The scientific community is constantly looking for new ways to detect and treat colorectal cancer. This new approach based on blood analysis seems to offer a more flexible and sensitive solution for prevention and diagnosis, encouraging more people to undergo screening tests. This may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment interventions to reduce mortality from this serious condition.
