Screening every new colon cancer patient for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition, would extend lives at a reasonable cost, according to a news release by Stanford University School of Medicine.
Since about 3-5 percent of colorectal tumors are caused by Lynch syndrome, the first diagnosis of the syndrome in a family reveals the risk for relatives. Relatives could then take defensive steps, such as yearly colonoscopies.
In the study, to be published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Stanford researchers used computer simulations to compare years of life gained and money spent if all new cases of colorectal cancer were tested for Lynch syndrome. They concluded such screening programs could reduce cancer deaths at a price within the typical range of U.S. healthcare costs.
Read the Stanford University Medical Center release on screening colon cancer patients for Lynch syndrome.
Related Articles on Colon Cancer Screening:
Study: More Screenings Linked to Fewer Colon Cancer Deaths
CDC: Colon Cancer Rates Down, Especially in States with More Screening
Poll Finds Low Follow-up Screening Rates for Colon Cancer