Key TakeawaysMany U.S. patients use Cologuard, a multi-target stool DNA test for at-home colorectal cancer screening, even though it’s costly.A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is just as effective at detecting early signs of colorectal cancer as Cologuard, according to a new study.Researchers suggest that if all patients used a FIT, the healthcare system would save millions on unnecessary spending.

Key Takeaways

Many U.S. patients use Cologuard, a multi-target stool DNA test for at-home colorectal cancer screening, even though it’s costly.A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is just as effective at detecting early signs of colorectal cancer as Cologuard, according to a new study.Researchers suggest that if all patients used a FIT, the healthcare system would save millions on unnecessary spending.

Cologuard, a popular at-home stool DNA test forcolorectal cancer, costs around $120 per test after Medicare reimbursements. But a much cheaper alternative test is available, and it’s equally effective, according to a new study.

A genericfecal immunochemical test(FIT) was recommended as the primary noninvasive test to screen for early-stage colorectal cancer in 2017.And researchers said it only costs $24 per test after Medicare reimbursements.

In the United States, health authorities recommend screening for colorectal cancer in all adults aged 45 to 75.These at-home tests are not a replacement forcolonoscopies, the gold standard of colon cancer screening, but they’re ideal for average-risk individuals who don’t want to go through invasive testing.

Cologuard has been a popular screening option among patients and providers,but researchers said a FIT can do the same job and save millions of dollars.

“The healthcare system is taxed and overextended a majority of the time. The value of this research is that it helps us minimize spending without compromising patient care,” saidPavan K. Rao, MD, a co-author of the study and a general surgery resident at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh.

Researchers evaluated over 100,000 people who underwent colorectal screening with the two at-home tests—FIT and Cologuard—and found that both tests equally picked up possibleearly signs of cancer.

If patients can all transition to using FITs, it would save $3.9 million annually in the study population using Medicare reimbursement rates.

According to Rao, the money saved could be used to facilitate an infrastructure to help primary care providers to counsel their patients on getting at-home screening and making sure it’s done yearly.

Cologuard also has a significant infrastructure around its product to make the process of testing seamless. Once a provider orders the test, the patient can do it at home and send it directly to Cologuard’s lab. The lab then sends the results to the healthcare provider within two weeks.

If the noninvasive test indicates early signs of colorectal cancer, patients should then get a colonoscopy for further screening.

Previous studies in Japan and the Netherlands have also confirmed that a FIT was more cost-effective than other noninvasive colorectal tests. Rao said that the results from the new study highlighted the need to reevaluate spending in health care.

“There’s a nationwide discussion on the need for value-based care and the need to reduce wasteful spending and the conservation of healthcare resources,” Rao said.

What This Means for YouThe FIT is a cost-effective at-home screening tool for colorectal cancer. It’s more affordable than Cologuard, a popular noninvasive colorectal screening test. Both tests are equally effective in detecting early signs of colorectal cancer.

What This Means for You

The FIT is a cost-effective at-home screening tool for colorectal cancer. It’s more affordable than Cologuard, a popular noninvasive colorectal screening test. Both tests are equally effective in detecting early signs of colorectal cancer.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American College of Surgeons.Study finds less expensive noninvasive test is an effective alternative to a more costly test for colorectal cancer screening.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Colorectal cancer: screening.

Exact Sciences.Frequently asked questions.

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