Immunologic Tests Specifically Detect Human Fecal Occult Blood

Two immunologic tests specifically detect human fecal occult blood, a well-known marker for colorectal cancer and precancerous large adenomas. The tests can also give information on other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that are associated with bleeding.

ColonView Hb test detects human hemoglobin (Hb) from red blood cells, and ColonView Hb/Hp test detects hemoglobin/haptoglobin complex (Hb/Hp). ColonView testing does not require a special diet on the days before or during sample collection. Patients can collect fecal samples at home on three consecutive days with the specific and convenient sample collection kit provided by the laboratory or the doctor, and forward the samples to the laboratory for single-step testing.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers of the industrialized world, and it has a high mortality rate. Biohit (Helsinki, Finland) has extended its range of diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal diseases with the ColonView quick tests, which is intended to aid early diagnosis and prevention of colorectal cancer.

Screening for fecal occult blood has been found to improve early detection of colorectal cancer in many studies. The sensitive and specific ColonView tests are well suited for screening programs and for testing of patients in hospitals, doctors' practices, and occupational health centers for fecal occult blood. Patients who may benefit from this are those suffering from dyspepsia, and people over 50 years of age, in particular, as part of routine health checks.

Risk groups for colorectal cancer include the elderly and also relatives of colorectal cancer patients. Diagnosis of the cancer at an early stage significantly improves the prognosis. For this reason, screening programs for colorectal cancer are recommended or ongoing in many countries.

The global market for quick tests intended for detection of fecal occult blood is already worth over EUR 500 million, of which most is still achieved by sales of tests that are not specific for human blood.

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