There appears to be a promising new method to predict colon cancer, and it actually involves bacteria.  Researchers believe that certain bacteria that live in the intestinal tract may be associated with a person’s risk of developing colon cancer.  The findings imply that the presence of certain bacteria are in higher concentration in people with polyps (early lesions that may develop into cancer), while other bacteria are in higher presence in the absence of polyps.

The whole point of this is to develop a non-invasive screening test based on microbial elements.  The unfortunate thing about colon cancer is that it often takes many years to develop.  There are a few standard methods that are used to diagnose it.  These include:

  • Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)-a lubricated, gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormal growths. This method only finds tumors that are large enough to be felt in the distal portion of the rectum.
  • Fecal occult blood test(FOBT)-is a test for blood in the stool. One test is chemical, the other is immunochemical.  The sensitivity of the immunochemical test is greater than that of the chemical test.
  • Endoscopy-This is a procedure in which a lighted probe is inserted into the rectum to check for polyps and other abnormalities.  The sigmoidoscope is a mere probe, but the colonoscope also has the ability to allow the practitioner to remove polyps or take tissue for biopsy.

There is some value in making an early diagnosis of colon cancer.  But the greatest strategy to vanquish it would seem to be to prevention.  It’s much easier and cheaper to prevent cancer than to treat it after the body has become diseased.  Vitamin & mineral supplements, herbs, and diet changes that are judiciously selected, can greatly minimize the chances of being diagnosed with cancer.  Unfortunately, there is not nearly as much profit in cancer prevention as there is in cancer treatment.  The simple fact is that the financial incentives are all aligned with the creation of prescription and non-prescription drugs that are patentable by pharmaceutical corporations.  This is why there is not much coverage or emphasis on cancer prevention.