- InSure offers a more 'patient-friendly' solution for colorectal cancer screening and is included in the American Cancer Society's guidelines -
TETERBORO, N.J., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two studies published
in the Jan. 18 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that fecal
occult blood tests in which the physician takes a single sample during a
routine digital rectal exam (DRE) is not an acceptable way to screen for
colorectal cancer. In an accompanying editorial, Harold Sox, M.D., editor of
the journal, states: "Together, the 2 articles paint a disappointing picture
of overreliance on an inaccurate test."
In one study, researchers compared results of a traditional fecal occult
blood test (FOBT) using a single sample during a DRE versus results when a
patient supplies six samples over the course of three days at home. The
single-sample method detected less than five percent of advanced-stage
cancerous tumors, compared with 24 percent with the multiple-sample method.
(1) Testing a fecal sample taken during a single digital rectal exam appears
to be a common practice. A second study found that almost one-third of
physicians use this less reliable method as their only colon cancer screening
test. (2)
"These findings reinforce that many patients think they are getting an
accurate colon cancer screening test when they aren't," said Joyce G.
Schwartz, M.D., Vice President and Chief Laboratory Officer at Quest
Diagnostics. "This is extremely concerning because colon cancer is the
nation's second most lethal cancer affecting both men and women.
"Physicians have found that some people are reluctant to do a fecal occult
blood test at home because it can be difficult and messy to complete,"
continued Dr. Schwartz. "Patients must handle fecal matter and obtain six
samples from three separate stools to complete the FOBT. In addition, they
must refrain from eating certain foods, such as red meat, and taking certain
medications, even aspirin, for a week prior to testing. However, the InSure
colorectal screening test is more patient-friendly (3) than traditional fecal
occult blood tests because of its patented brush-based collection system.
InSure has no dietary or medicinal restrictions, and it is FDA-cleared at a
level of 87 percent sensitivity." (4)
InSure is a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which specifically detects
trace amounts of human blood in the stool. InSure is more patient-friendly
because it requires no fecal handling. A disposable long handled brush is
swirled in toilet water and dabbed onto a card. These features have been shown
to improve patient compliance with colorectal cancer screening by 66 percent
versus the traditional fecal occult blood test. (5)
American Cancer Society guidelines include FITs, such as InSure, as an
annual screening tool for the normal-risk population of people over the age of
50 or who are at high risk for colorectal cancer. InSure is available
nationally to doctors and their patients through Quest Diagnostics.
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company
offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national
network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive
consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest
Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based
medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to
improve patient care. Additional company information is available at:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
(1) Collins JF et al. Accuracy of screening for fecal occult blood on a
single stool sample obtained by digital rectal examination: a
comparison with recommended sampling practice. Ann Intern Med.
2005;142: 81-85.
(2) Nadel MR et al. A national survey of primary care physicians' methods
for screening for fecal occult blood. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142: 86-94.
(3) Levin B et al. Emerging technologies in screening for colorectal
cancer: CT colonography, immunochemical fecal occult blood tests, and
stool screening using molecular markers. CA Cancer J Clin 2003;53:44-
55.
(4) U.S. Food and Drug Administration submission data; 2000.
(5) Cole SR, Young GP, Esterman A, Cadd B, Morcom J. A randomised trial
of the impact of new faecal haemoglobin test technologies on
population participation in screening for colorectal cancer. J Med
Screen 2003; 10:117-122.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
-0- 01/17/2005
/CONTACT: Laure Park (Investors), +1-201-393-5030, or Jennifer Somers
(Media), +1-201-393-5700, both of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated /
/Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com /
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