There is exciting news for millions of people who are at risk for developing colon cancer. A new and simple to use fecal occult blood test, also known as FOBT, is now available for testing for this disease in the comfort of home. This test can be taken at home to detect colon cancer in an early stage when it is still extremely treatable.
The Hemoccult ICT
The Hemoccult ICT is a safe and inexpensive FOBT screening test for colon cancer. Second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths, colon cancer is treatable and curable. In fact, the statistics show early detection of this deadly disease provides a 90% survival rate. Unfortunately, while the highest risk group is people over the age of 50, only half of the 80 million plus Americans over 50 have taken a test to be screened for colon cancer.
American Cancer Society Recommendations
The American Cancer Society has a set of recommendations for the early detection of colon cancer. They recommend a yearly colon cancer FOBT screening test for men and women over the age of 50. Undergoing this yearly screening test is proven to decrease the mortality rate by 33% as compared to people who did not undergo any type of colon cancer screening test.
Since colon cancer takes between three and ten years or more to develop in the average person, it is crucial to begin screening tests before developing symptoms so this disease can be treated early.
The Differences In FOBT Screening And Colonoscopy
The colonoscopy has been the most famous and well known screening test for colon cancer for many years. Although it has been regarded as the best test for detecting colon cancer in the past, it does have a few drawbacks that keep people from having the test.
- A colonoscopy is comparatively expensive, costing between $400 and $1,000 per test. While many insurance companies cover the cost of a colonoscopy, many do not. People whose insurance company does not cover the cost of a colonoscopy in addition to people who do not have health insurance usually avoid getting this important screening test.
- Many people fear a colonoscopy, especially because the procedure is performed while the patient is sedated.
- Some people avoid having a colonoscopy because of the special diet and strong laxative required prior to the test.
- There are a limited number of professionals trained to use the special equipment needed in performing a colonoscopy. This limits the number of colonoscopies that professionals can perform each year. With schedules full and a lack of the proper equipment in some medical facilities, many people who need screening can’t even get an appointment for a colonoscopy in a timely manner.
These reasons show why a FOBT screening, and especially the new Hemoccult ICT at home screening test, will save lives. The at home convenience of the test, lack of a dietary restriction, and affordable cost will hopefully work to help diagnose colon cancer early so treatment will be timely and successful.
