The researchers show that the test in the stool and colonoscopy is equivalent to detecting colon cancer -Retto
A study conducted by researchers from CLínic-idibaps hospital From Barcelona and the University Hospital of the Canary Islands shows that the Hidden and colonoscopy blood test They have an equivalent efficiency to detect colon cancer in advance.
This scientific study, published in Lancet, was conducted for ten years 57,000 people And it shows that both strategies, the test in the stool and colonoscopy, are equally effective to preventively detect the colon -receipt cancer.
To perform the comparative study, the 57,000 people participating in screeningaged between 50 and 70 years and men and women.
The participants in the clinical study belonged to eight autonomous communities: Aragon, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Basque country and Valence community.
The participation of citizens in screening was higher in the group of people who accepted the test of Blood hidden in the feces (40 %) Compared to the other group, to which colonoscopies were made (32 %), since the latter procedure is more invasive.
Dr. Antoni Castells -assistance Director of the Clinic Hospital in Barcelona e Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Barcelona (UB)-and Dr. Enrique Quintero -gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands and Professor at the University of La Laguna in Tenerife-.
The research project, called Colonprev, was financed by Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC) And the Carlos III Health Institute, and is the first study in the world that compares the two strategies.
As Dr. Antoni Castells said in a press conference: “After ten years of monitoring people who participated in the screening of the results Show that both strategies have similar efficacy In the detection of colon -termination cancer and in its ability to reduce the mortality associated with this tumor. “
The results of the study show that the mortality from colon cancer -Retto after ten years It was similar in both groups, 0.22 % in colonoscopy and 0.24 % in the blood hidden in the stool.
Dr. Enrique Quintero stressed, on the other hand, that the study implies “a very important progress” and called the population so that that “Participate more in preventive tests” Since participation is even lower than the European average: throughout the country it is 45 % and in Catalonia, 50 %.
As for the cost of both types of tests, Dr. Castells explained that, while the one with the blood hidden in the feces is only from 2 to 4 euros, that of the colonoscopy comes About 150 to 200 euros per test, And although both are equivalent as regards the effectiveness, the latter has “some risks” to be invasive.
Castells has agreed to increase the participation of citizens since then “Early detection can save many lives, And we would like to be encouraged “by health institutes.
On the differences detected between the autonomous communities, with a Participation higher than the North And the East and the bass in those of the southern half, Castells has attributed it to the time spent since they started everywhere.
There are also differences on the system used to access the hidden blood tests and while In the Basque country are the doctors of the interstation that provide themIn Catalonia are the pharmacies that collect citizens’ samples.
Colon cancer is one of the most frequent tumors and one of the main causes of cancer mortality. It develops from precancerous injuries called polypswhich can evolve towards a malignant tumor if they are not detected and eliminated over time.
The researchers warn that early diagnosis is the key to preventing diseases or Diagnose in the initial phases Because the treatment is more effective and the chances of healing are higher.
