11.07.12
Bowel cancer calculator gets better results than symptoms check
A new calculator could improve diagnosis for bowel cancer, research suggests.
The web-based tool was shown to better predict cases of bowel cancer compared to identifying individual symptoms, research published in the British Journal of Cancer shows.
The QCancer calculator uses seven risk factors for women and nine for men, including age, presence of symptoms and lifestyle behaviours. The study looked at 2.1 million people between 2000 and 2008 and the calculator identified nearly three-quarters of those with bowel cancer.
In comparison, using just the symptom of rectal bleeding, only 34% of women and 40% of men were diagnosed with bowel cancer. Similarly, using the single symptom of abdominal pain around one-third of bowel cancers were picked up.
The model was developed by researchers at theUniversityofNottinghamand is currently being considered by the Department of Health for a pilot to improve early diagnosis. It could be integrated into GPs’ computer systems to identify patients at high risk, to be called back for further tests.
Dr Gary Collins, study author and senior medical statistician at theUniversityofOxford, said: “Our research shows that the QCancer calculator clearly outperforms individual signs and symptoms as a way of predicting whether a patient has bowel cancer.
“It’s great to see that the Government is considering this model along with others to help spot people with cancers that might otherwise go undetected. Ultimately tests like this will be likely to improve early diagnosis of the disease so that patients have the best possible chance of survival.”
Sara Hiom, director of cancer information at Cancer ResearchUK, said: “When bowel cancer is found at the earliest stage, there is an excellent chance of survival, with more than 90% of people surviving the disease for at least five years.
“This study highlights a new approach to helping GPs make better decisions about which patients to refer for further tests. Ultimately we hope risk calculators like these could contribute to swifter diagnosis of bowel cancers. Encouraging more people to take up their invitation to bowel screening is also important.”
For more information, visit: www.qcancer.org
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