In Israel, colorectal cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women and third most common among men. Approximately 3,000 individuals are diagnosed with colon cancer every year, and 1,300 die from the disease each year. Unlike in the United States where colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 45, in Israel they are recommended starting at age 50. This procedure involves a three-day preparation using laxatives and anesthesia on the day of the test, requiring time off from work.
During the colonoscopy, an optical fiber is inserted through the anus to locate and remove precancerous polyps before they become malignant tumors. However, many individuals are fearful of the invasive test and the preparation involved. Studies have shown that low participation rates reduce the effectiveness of early detection through colonoscopies by only reducing risk by 31%. A new blood test called “Shield,” developed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, has been developed to detect DNA released from cancerous tumors with an 83% effectiveness rate in identifying colon cancer patients.
If approved for use, Shield will likely be recommended every three years starting at age 45 as a complement to traditional colonoscopies. While a positive result from Shield doesn’t constitute a diagnosis, it will prompt the need for a colonoscopy to determine tumor location and necessary treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. The use of this new test can help increase early detection rates and improve patient outcomes for colorectal cancer patients in Israel and beyond.
