will Lake tuctidl ne vs Reaie' on OD] weiter iohe & “nul “in “a ace ccna ay Nn tracd an hi ivory and at] tal New n= ShowsColorectal Cancer Can Be Prevented With Regular Screening (NAPS)—Colorectal canceris the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer in the United States, accounting for more than 56,000 deaths annually. The ine stool samples for hidden blood. Hemoccult can help detect benign polyps and cancers that can be removed during a colonoscopic women, and more than 130,000 Americans are diagnosed each year. The disease is 90 percent cur- the disease can be prevented. These findings also support earlier conclusions from the same trial that regular screening can disease affects both men and able when colorectal cancer is detected in its early stages. How- ever, only 37 percent of all cases are detected in their early manageable stages. A new study, pub- lished in The New England Jour- nal of Medicine, reveals that regular screening with a fecal occult blood test can reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer by at least 20 percent. “These important findings are significant, in examination. When cancerous polyps are detected and removed, decrease mortality rates for this cancer byat least 33 percent. Colorectal cancer is often a silent disease, with patients expe- patients often don’t experience any symptoms, regular screening plays a critical role in early detection and prevention . “These new findings underscore the importantrole that fecal occult blood testing can play in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer,” said Joel McComb, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Primary Care Diagnos- younger people whoare consid- test that can be prepared in the privacy of one’s home. Thetriple lines recommend that all people age 50 and older, as well as ered at risk for the disease, ogist and Group Vice President at Potential risk factors for developing the disease include a colorectal cancer screening. Exponent,Inc. In this twenty-five year study, personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, a diet Hemoccult fecal occult blood test, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc. This test is used to exam- inactivity. Excessive alcohol con- over 46, 000 patients used the ments, altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. However, since tics. Hemoccult, the only fecal occult blood test used in this regular screening,” according to the lead study investigator, Jack Mandel, Ph.D., M.P.H., epidemiol- include blood in bowel move- riencing no symptomsatall. The American Cancer Society guide- should be screened using the available methods including an annual fecal occult blood test. At present, only 20 percent ofall atrisk people receive any form of that they show that this deadly cancer is now preventable with high in fat, obesity, and physical sumption and smoking can also increase risk. Symptoms may study, is a non-invasive, simple slide screening system is designed to test bowel specimensover three days, which greatly increases the probability of detecting hidden blood. If you or someone you knowis at risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about what screening options and treatments are available. For information on the Hemoccult family of products, including Hemoccult and Hemoc- cult SENSA, visit www.beckman coulter.com / screening or call toll- free at 1-800-352-3433.
