Colonoscopy No More!

A new stool-sample test may eliminate the need for colonoscopies, according to Dr. Steven Itzkowitz of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. The new test relies on testing DNA present in stool to identify colorectal cancer. In an early study, the new test identified 88% of cancers. This number was substantiated by further study of 42 patients who had colorectal cancer and 241 whose colonoscopies were normal. The new test seems to be accurate, easy, and cheaper than traditional colonoscopies and may be used as an alternative to colonoscopies in the future. Reuters, December 18, 2008 
2009-01-05 18:10:02