Blood test can detect colorectal cancer early
A clinical validation trial showed that a cell-free DNA blood-based screening test had 83% sensitivity for colorectal cancer, 90% specificity for advanced neoplasia, and 13% sensitivity for advanced precancerous lesions.
If approved by the FDA, the blood test would be another screening tool to detect the cancer at an early stage.
The test detects cancer signals in the bloodstream by identifying circulating tumor DNA, researchers said.
While colorectal cancer is still rare in young adults, the rate has been increasing, with about 20,000 people in the U.S. under the age of 50 diagnosed each year.
Read more: New England Journal of Medicine
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