25.07.12
Early detection of bowel cancer means 90% survival
Bowel cancer patients who are diagnosed through screening are more likely to survive than those diagnosed after developing symptoms, new research indicates.
Using data from the Northern Colorectal Cancer Audit Group in north-east England, researchers looked at more than 1,300 bowel cancers diagnosed between 2007 and 2010. Nearly 40% of all screen-detected cancers were at an early stage with an improved survival rate compared to cancers found in patients who did not attend screening.
For patients whose bowel cancer was picked up through screening, nearly 90% were alive at the end of the study follow-up period, compared to 65% who did not attend screening and were diagnosed after symptoms developed.
The study was published in the British Journal of Cancer. The evidence supports Cancer Research UK calls to implement a better stool blood test, known as FIT, and implement the FlexiScope bowel screening test as soon as possible.
The national bowel screening programme has only been fully operational since 2010 and uptake is currently around 50%. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK.
Dr Michael Gill, lead author of the study based at the Wansbeck General Hospital in Northumberland and Durham University, said: “Our research shows that the proportion of bowel cancers detected through screening has improved with the roll-out of national screening.
“But too many bowel cancers are slipping through the net. We need to understand why the present blood test is failing to pick up cancers in certain parts of the bowel, and in women.”
Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s director of policy, added: “There is persuasive evidence that the new blood test, FIT, is a more effective test for bowel screening. The test also requires patients to provide fewer stool samples and so is less complicated to complete and return – which we hope will improve take-up of bowel screening.
“Cancer Research UK is pleased that England will add the Flexi-Scope test to its bowel screening programme but the roll-out needs to be rapid. We need ongoing monitoring and resource to ensure the roll-out runs to time and plan.”
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