Study Reveals CT Scans Superior For Detecting Cancer Early
A recent study suggests that CT colonography may be more effective than stool DNA testing in preventing colorectal cancer. Published in the journal Radiology on June 10, the research indicates that CT scans performed every three to five years could identify and prevent more cases of colon cancer compared to DNA stool tests. The study was led by Dr. Perry Pickhardt, a radiology and medical physics professor at the University of Wisconsin, who emphasized that CT colonography offers a safer, less invasive, and more cost-effective option than DNA stool testing.
Although colonoscopy remains the most widely used and reliable method for colon cancer screening—due to its ability to remove precancerous polyps during the procedure—many patients prefer non-invasive alternatives. Both CT colonography and stool DNA tests are now covered by Medicare, prompting researchers to compare the two options directly.
Using a simulation model based on data from the CDC, researchers assessed the outcomes of different screening strategies for individuals aged 45 to 75. The model showed that, without screening, about 8% of people would develop colon cancer and 3% would die from it. With stool DNA testing every three years, cancer cases could be reduced by 59%. However, CT colonography offered greater benefits: a 70% reduction when done every three years with follow-up colonoscopy for larger polyps, and a 75% reduction with five-year intervals and removal of slightly smaller polyps.
The study also found that CT colonography was more cost-effective than DNA stool testing, though the three-year CT schedule proved to be the most economically favorable. Despite the need for bowel preparation similar to a colonoscopy, CT colonography offers additional diagnostic value, as it can also detect conditions like osteoporosis or arterial calcification.
While the findings align with previous research, the authors caution that this was a simulation and not a direct clinical trial. Therefore, although promising, the results do not confirm a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between the screening method and cancer prevention. Nonetheless, the study positions CT colonography as a viable alternative for patients, particularly younger adults in their 40s, who may be hesitant to undergo traditional colonoscopies.
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