Health
At-home stool testing linked to 43% drop in colorectal cancer mortality in Swedish study
Researchers analyzing up to 14 years of regional screening data found that participating in routine at-home tests significantly reduced the risk of death from colorectal cancer.
The short version
- A long-term study of more than 376,000 people in Sweden found that participating in routine at-home colorectal cancer screening reduced the risk of dying from the disease by 43%.
- Sweden offers free biennial at-home stool tests to adults aged 60 to 74, followed by colonoscopies if blood is detected.
- Despite accessibility, roughly one-third of invited individuals do not submit test samples, presenting an ongoing challenge for public health outreach.
Key facts
- Data published in JAMA Network Open by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University analyzed 376,511 people tracked for up to 14 years in the Stockholm-Gotland screening program.[ScienceDaily]
- Actual participation in screening was associated with a 43% lower risk of colorectal cancer death, while merely receiving an invitation was tied to a 26% reduced risk after statistical adjustments.[ScienceDaily]
- Sweden provides free biennial stool test kits to residents aged 60 to 74 to check for hidden blood, referring positive cases for colonoscopies.[ScienceDaily]
- Around one-third of invited individuals fail to return a sample, according to corresponding author Johannes Blom.[ScienceDaily]
- The study recorded 1,668 deaths from colorectal cancer over the multi-year observation period.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- The researchers noted that the risk reduction figures rely on statistical adjustments to correct for nonadherence and contamination bias, introducing potential uncertainty to the exact magnitude of benefit.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
- A simple at-home test could cut colorectal cancer death risk by 43%ScienceDaily - Health