Stool Tests for Colorectal Cancer
Innovations in science and technology have created tests for colon cancer screening that you can do at home. Several of these tests
have received FDA approval.
Stool Tests for Colorectal Cancer
Innovations in science and technology have created tests for colon cancer screening that you can do at home. Several of these tests
have received FDA approval.
Who is eligible to use a colon cancer test at home?
A stool test looks for cancer or signs of cancer, even if someone doesn’t have any symptoms. Colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45. Some tests find early signs of colorectal cancer like pre-cancerous polyps, but all of the at-home tests help catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
Those who are eligible for stool tests include:
If you have experienced any of these above situations, you’ll need to be screened via colonoscopy.
Who is eligible to use a colon cancer test at home?
A stool test looks for cancer or signs of cancer, even if someone doesn’t have any symptoms. Colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45. Some tests find early signs of colorectal cancer like pre-cancerous polyps, but all of the at-home tests help catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
Those who are eligible for stool tests include:
If you have experienced any of these above situations, you’ll need to be screened via colonoscopy.
Stool based options
There are several types of stool tests that have received FDA approval:
Stool based options
There are several types of stool tests that have received FDA approval:
Choosing the right stool test for you
With both the mt-sDNA and FIT, patients collect stool samples at home. A kit is provided with step-by-step instructions. (Follow the instructions for the test you choose; they’re different.)
Get your doctor involved and review the results together. Both tests look for small amounts of blood in the stool sample provided. Both tests need patients to get a colonoscopy if the result is positive. Do not skip this step.
If your Cologuard test is negative, you will need to repeat the test in 3 years. If your FIT is negative, it should be repeated in 1 year.
Choosing the right stool test for you
With both the mt-sDNA and FIT, patients collect stool samples at home. A kit is provided with step-by-step instructions. (Follow the instructions for the test you choose; they’re different.)
Get your doctor involved and review the results together. Both tests look for small amounts of blood in the stool sample provided. Both tests need patients to get a colonoscopy if the result is positive. Do not skip this step.
If your Cologuard test is negative, you will need to repeat the test in 3 years. If your FIT is negative, it should be repeated in 1 year.
Pros and Cons
When thinking about doing a stool test for colon cancer, it’s important to think about the pros and cons:
Pros
Non-invasive and private
You can do colorectal cancer tests at home. You don’t need to go to a doctor’s office to perform them.
Convenient
You can collect your stool sample at a time that works best for you. You do not need to take time off work, nor will you be going under anesthesia, so there’s less hassle. There is also zero prep involved.
High Sensitivity
Stool tests are good at finding colorectal cancer and showing who doesn’t have colorectal cancer.
In general, mt-sDNA will detect 9 out of 10 cancers as a single-time test. FIT will detect 7/8 out of 10 cancers.
Cons
Handling Stool
You’ll get gloves and kits to keep things clean, but you still need to handle your poop.
Limited Preventive Ability
The FIT can only identify hemoglobin (blood), which will trigger a need for a follow-up colonoscopy. It cannot detect pre-cancerous polyps.
The mt-sDNA can detect pre-cancerous polyps, but not with the same rate or accuracy when compared to a colonoscopy. “Colonoscopy is 75%–93% sensitive for finding any type of polyp smaller than 6 mm … FIT-fecal DNA test proved a detection rate for high-grade dysplasia of 62%, which then fell to 42% for detecting any type of polyp.” (Source: JAMA Network)
Stool tests can indicate pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, but they can’t remove them during the same test. Stool tests can have more incorrect results (false positives) than colonoscopies. Stool tests can’t explain why there’s bleeding if they show a positive result.
Follow-up Colonoscopy Required
If the stool test results are positive/abnormal, a follow-up colonoscopy within 90 days is necessary to confirm the findings.
Frequent Testing Needed
Stool tests will need to be repeated more frequently. The mt-sDNA test needs to be repeated every 3 years, and the FIT needs to be repeated every 1 year.
Pros and Cons
When thinking about doing a stool test for colon cancer, it’s important to think about the pros and cons:
Pros
Non-invasive and private
You can do colorectal cancer tests at home. You don’t need to go to a doctor’s office to perform them.
Convenient
You can collect your stool sample at a time that works best for you. You do not need to take time off work, nor will you be going under anesthesia, so there’s less hassle. There is also zero prep involved.
High Sensitivity
Stool tests are good at finding colorectal cancer and showing who doesn’t have colorectal cancer.
In general, mt-sDNA will detect 9 out of 10 cancers as a single-time test. FIT will detect 7/8 out of 10 cancers.
Cons
Handling Stool
You’ll get gloves and kits to keep things clean, but you still need to handle your poop.
Limited Preventive Ability
The FIT can only identify hemoglobin (blood), which will trigger a need for a follow-up colonoscopy. It cannot detect pre-cancerous polyps.
The mt-sDNA can detect pre-cancerous polyps, but not with the same rate or accuracy when compared to a colonoscopy. “Colonoscopy is 75%–93% sensitive for finding any type of polyp smaller than 6 mm … FIT-fecal DNA test proved a detection rate for high-grade dysplasia of 62%, which then fell to 42% for detecting any type of polyp.” (Source: JAMA Network)
Stool tests can indicate pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, but they can’t remove them during the same test. Stool tests can have more incorrect results (false positives) than colonoscopies. Stool tests can’t explain why there’s bleeding if they show a positive result.
Follow-up Colonoscopy Required
If the stool test results are positive/abnormal, a follow-up colonoscopy within 90 days is necessary to confirm the findings.
Frequent Testing Needed
Stool tests will need to be repeated more frequently. The mt-sDNA test needs to be repeated every 3 years, and the FIT needs to be repeated every 1 year.
