€25 test can spot bowel cancer earlier

Irish scientists have developed a €25 bowel cancer blood test kit that can spot the potentially lethal disease at an early stage.

Bowel cancer is Ireland’s second biggest cancer killer and this test has the potential to save hundreds of lives by spotting the disease at the earliest possible opportunity. The test picks up on antibodies in the blood, produced as the body reacts to the onset of bowel cancer.

The collaboration between researchers from the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University and Donegal biotech firm Randox Teoranta, has been described as a significant breakthrough and could be available for use by the end of next year.

Each year almost 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer here, with 1,000 dying from it. To address this, a nationwide Bowel Screen initiative was rolled out for people between the ages of 60-69, thought to be at high risk.

This screening involves testing traces of blood in stool samples. Drawbacks associated with this method, known as faecal occult blood test (FOBT), include low sensitivity, which means early stage disease is not detected rapidly or reliably.

In addition, the nature of the sample required for these tests has resulted in worryingly low levels of patient uptake.

The new blood test will do away with the need for FOBT and will prevent unnecessary and costly colonoscopies for people without the disease.

Prof Richard O’Kennedy, scientific director of BDI said: “Typically, patients who experience the symptoms of bowel cancer may visit their doctor. This new, quick and non-invasive test will help in identifying patients with bowel cancer earlier, so they are sent for colonoscopy and treated more effectively,” he said.

“Survival rates from bowel cancer are closely associated with the stage at diagnosis. More than half of people with bowel cancer are diagnosed in the later stages, requiring more complex treatment, with a poorer chance of survival. The aim of this new test is to find the cancer at the earliest possible stage, when it is easier to treat, improving outcomes for patients.”

Randox Teoranta managing director Dr Peter FitzGerald said: “The potential here is quite revolutionary. While bowel cancer is a very serious illness — early diagnosis leads to improved survival. If bowel cancer is found early, the growth is typically small and can be removed, leaving the person healthy and needing less treatment,” said Dr FitzGerald.

“In addition bowel cancer places considerable burden on our healthcare system. Stage 3 bowel cancer treatment costs are estimated at more than €45,000 per patient, with stage 1 treatment €18,550 — less than half. If we can catch this cancer early and treat it early, then the economic benefit will be considerable.”

Dr Sinéad Walsh, acting head of research at the Irish Cancer Society said: “We are very excited by the results of this research as it will help us move another step forward in our strategy towards a future without cancer. The earlier bowel cancer can be detected the better the outcome for patients.

“This, coupled with the ability to personalise treatments for bowel cancer patients, will contribute to better outcomes for people with bowel cancer.”