一種新的檢測方法具有檢測超過半數的早期直腸癌的功能。

這種簡單的檢測方法能夠在醫生的辦公室內進行，用于篩查早期大腸癌和直腸癌。近期的資料顯示：這種叫做ColorectAlert的檢測方法的假陽性比例比當前最主要的篩查方法大便隱血實驗要低5倍多。

ColorectAlert通過鑒別醫生在常規直腸檢查時候收集的粘膜樣本之中的癌癥相關的糖來進行檢測。無需血液或者大便樣本。因為樣本是由醫生直接收集而不是患者收集，這種檢測能夠為更多的患者進行篩查。絕大多數其它直腸癌的檢測方法需要復雜的患者準備程序以及創傷性手術，而且常常出現非確定性的結果。

ColorectAlert是由IMI國際醫療創新公司(IMI, Toronto, Canada)研制開發的。 IMI公司規劃與臨床事務部經理Micheal Evelegh博士說：“很明顯，當前迫切需要患者能夠負擔的起的易于操作的大腸癌早期篩查方法。”該公司正在計劃開展大規模、多中心的前瞻性臨床試驗，希望獲得明確資料來支持這項篩查工具的有效性。
 
Novel Screen for Colon Cancer
 
A new test has shown the ability to detect more than half of all early-stage colorectal cancers.

The simple test can be performed in a doctor’s office to screen for early-stage cancer of the colon and rectum. Recent data show that the test, called ColorectAlert, had five times fewer false-positives than fecal occult blood tests, currently the leading method of screening.

ColorectAlert works by identifying a cancer-associated sugar in a sample of mucus collected by a doctor during a routine digital rectal exam. No blood or stool sample is needed. Since the sample is obtained directly from a doctor rather than by the patient, the test may contribute to more patient screening. Most other diagnostic tests for colorectal cancer require extensive patient preparation and an invasive procedure, while often delivering inconclusive results.

ColorectAlert was developed by IMI International Medical Innovations (IMI, Toronto, Canada). “Clearly, an affordable easy-to-use initial screen for early stage colorectal cancer is urgently needed,” stated Dr. Micheal Evelegh, head of regulatory and clinical affairs at IMI. The company is planning a major, multisite prospective trial that is expected to generate definitive data to support the test’s effectiveness as a screening tool.