The Importance of Properly Conducting At-Home Colon Cancer Tests
Colon Cancer Home Test Kits Provide Convenient Alternative Screening Option for Those Who Cannot Afford or Prefer to Avoid Colonoscopy
10% of home colon cancer tests are rendered useless due to patient error.
🩺 By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter 🌈
At-home tests for colon cancer provide a readily available screening method for individuals who either cannot afford or prefer not to undergo a colonoscopy. However, a recent study reports that more than 1 in 10 at-home tests sent to labs are deemed unusable, primarily due to errors made by patients themselves. This highlights the importance of addressing breakdowns in the screening process and emphasizes the need for improved patient education regarding sample collection and test procedures.
The Screening process: Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT)
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends regular colon cancer screening for individuals aged 45 to 75. One option available is the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which utilizes antibodies to detect blood in the stool that may not be visible to the naked eye. These tests are conducted annually and are considered more affordable and easier than procedures such as colonoscopy.
To perform the test, an individual collects a stool sample, labels it appropriately, and sends it to a lab for analysis. Unfortunately, many of these samples cannot be processed correctly due to patient errors.
Common Mistakes and Unusable Samples
Research conducted by Rasmi Nair, an assistant professor of public health at UT Southwestern in Dallas, examined nearly 57,000 FIT samples from individuals treated at Parkland Health, a safety net hospital in Dallas County.
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The study found that over 10% of the samples were unsuitable for processing at the lab. The mistakes leading to unusable samples included:
- Inadequate stool specimens (51%)
- Incomplete labeling (27%)
- Outdated specimens (13%)
- Leaking or broken specimen containers (8%)
It is crucial to mention that failure rates were higher among male patients, Black individuals, Spanish-speaking individuals, and those reliant on Medicaid. Additionally, patients who received their testing kits via mail, rather than from a healthcare professional, were at a higher risk of making errors that rendered their samples unusable.
Improving the Screening Process
The results of this study stress the need for enhanced patient education on proper sample collection and processing. Additionally, implementing improved test-tracking procedures and ensuring timely follow-up when a sample is deemed unusable are crucial for the success of at-home testing.
Moreover, the findings of this study have far-reaching implications beyond colon cancer screening. The same principles should apply to other types of at-home tests, such as fecal DNA tests for colorectal cancer screening and future home testing for human papillomavirus (HPV).
Q&A: Common Questions About At-Home Colon Cancer Tests
Q: Are at-home colon cancer tests as effective as a colonoscopy?
A: While at-home tests provide a convenient screening option, they are not as comprehensive as a colonoscopy. However, they are still effective at detecting blood in the stool, which can be an early indicator of colon cancer.
Q: How often should I conduct an at-home colon cancer test?
A: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends conducting the test annually for individuals between the ages of 45 and 75. Regular screenings increase the chances of detecting abnormalities early.
Q: Can I trust the results of at-home colon cancer tests?
A: At-home tests are generally reliable, but the accuracy depends on proper sample collection and processing. Following the instructions carefully and avoiding common mistakes is crucial to obtaining accurate results.
References
- Colon Cancer Screening: Even More Effective Than Experts Thought
- 13 Myths About Lung Cancer
- 15 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
- Colorectal Cancer Tumor Growth Driven by Cholesterol
- Scientists Spotted the Cause and Possible Prevention of Morning Sickness
- More about the Fecal Immunochemical Test
Images: Colon Cancer Illustration
Browse through our medical image collection to see illustrations of human anatomy and physiology.
Related Article: Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Screening, Stages
Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, screening process, stages, and treatment related to colorectal cancer.
Read more: Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Screening, Stages
More information: The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has further information about the fecal immunochemical test.
Source: UT Southwestern, news release, Dec. 14, 2023
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