March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is the global Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The aim of the month is to raise awareness of the symptoms of colorectal cancer and the importance of early diagnose.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer of the colon or rectum. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CRC is currently the third most common cancer and the second most common cancer-related cause of death worldwide. Around 1.9 million CRC cases are diagnosed annually.¹ But unlike many cancers, colorectal cancer could be preventable with screenings and treatable when detected at an early stage.

Many people do not experience symptoms in the early stages of CRC. However, the blood vessels of colorectal polyps or cancers are often fragile and easily bleed into the colon or rectum. In healthy individuals, small quantities of lower gastrointestinal bleeding is normal, but it may also be a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder.

Feacal immunochemical tests (FIT), such as Aidian's QuikRead go iFOBT, provides quantitative information on excessive bleeding and aids in triaging patients for further gastrointestinal tract investigations, such as colonoscopy. FIT result levels also correlate with the cancer severity. ^2,3

Screening of people at moderate risk for CRC have been shown to reduce CRC mortality and incidence.⁴ Screening of CRC using FIT tests is recommended currently by the Council of Europe and by the American College of Physicians for individuals between 50-74 years old. ^4,5

The early detection of CRC or its precursors significantly improves the chance of survival, requires less invasive treatment, and reduces treatment costs.

Read more about QuikRead go iFOBT.

References:

1. World Health Organization. Global Cancer Observatory database. https://gco.iarc.fr/ Accessed 25.2.2023.
2. Navarro M et al. Fecal hemoglobin concentration, a good predictor of risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia in symptomatic and asymptomatic Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:31.
3. Mclean W et al. Diagnostic accuracy of point of care faecal immunochemical testing using a portable high-speed quantitative analyser for diagnosis in 2-week wait patients. Colorectal Disease 2021; 00:1–11.
4. European commission. European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis – First Edition. Segnan N, Patrick J, von Karsa L (eds.), 2010, Luxembourg.
5. Rex D et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommendations for Physicians and Patients from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.Am J Gastroenterol 2017; 112:1016-1030.