Is fecal DNA testing superior to fecal occult-blood testing for colorectal cancer screening?
DESIGN AND INTERVENTION The study was conducted at 81 private practice and university-based sites between August 2001 and March 2003. All participants were at least 50 years old. Exclusion criteria included iron-deficiency anemia, coexisting visceral cancer, recent gastrointestinal bleeding, change in bowel habits or abdominal pain, previous CRC or polyps or colon resection; colono scopy, sigmoidoscopy or double-contrast barium enema within the previous 10 years, or positive FOBT within the previous 6 months. Individuals provided a fecal sample for DNA testing and then completed three Hemoccult II® cards for FOBT before screening colono scopy. DNA analysis was performed on stool samples from all evaluable patients with invasive cancer or advanced adenoma, and subgroups of subjects with minor polyps (n = 600) and no polyps (n = 1,400). All analysis was blinded to fecal sample DNA test results and screening colonoscopy. Is fecal DNA testing superior to fecal occult-blood testing for colorectal cancer screening?