Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – Early Detection Testing and Diagnosis of Common Cancer Mutations
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), a fantastic annual opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer and support charities associated with the disease. It is the third most common cancer in the UK, with over 41,700 people being diagnosed every year in the UK.1
About Bowel Cancer
Bowel Cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel which is made up of the colon and rectum. Most bowel cancers start as benign innocent growths on the wall of the bowel. Polyps are common as we get older and most polyps are not pre-cancerous. However, one type of polyp called an adenoma can become cancerous.
If left undetected the cancer cells will multiply to form a tumour in the bowel, causing pain, bleeding and other symptoms. If untreated, the tumour can grow into the wall of the bowel and once in the wall they can travel into the bloodstream or lymph nodes. From this point the cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body.2
Early Diagnosis
Bowel Cancer can be treated successfully in over 90% of cases3, if the patient is diagnosed early. The early symptoms, however, of bowel cancer are very similar to other, much less serious problems with the bowel. Being aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer is the most important part of protecting yourself from the disease. Some of the key symptoms of bowel cancer are, bleeding from your bottom or blood in your stool, a change in your normal bowel habit and pain in your abdomen.
Randox Biosciences Offerings
Randox Biosciences is dedicated to advancing scientific discovery, drug development and diagnostics. Our team of molecular scientists have developed prognostic tests in a variety of disease areas, including oncology. Early detection is important to Randox Biosciences to allow the patient to get the most effective treatment, therefore, we have produced tests like the KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA* to achieve this.
The KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA* Array simultaneously detects 20 point mutations within the KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA genes. The assay is validated for use with DNA extracted from fresh/frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. The array is CE marked for routine clinical use.
Whilst designed for colorectal cancer, the KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA*Array has implications for mutation screening in other cancer types like lung cancer.
There are many key benefits to the Randox Biosciences KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA* Array, which are:
- Rapid turnaround time of 3 hours from extracted genomic DNA to result
- Rapid simultaneous detection of 20 key mutations
- Sensitivity of 1% mutant in a background of wildtype genomic DNA
- Covers 3 common genes implicated in colorectal cancer, reducing the need for reflex testing
This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we are urging the public to not only help raise awareness for bowel cancer but to educate themselves on the sign and symptoms to increase early diagnosis and effective treatment. As a global diagnostic company, Randox Biosciences are committed to ongoing development of diagnostic tests, as we as our research into numerous disease areas to improve health worldwide.
To find out more about Randox Biosciences offerings email us at info@randoxbiosciences,com
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*PIK3CA for research use only
Sources:
1 – Bowel Cancer UK
2 – Beating Bowel Cancer
3 – Beating Bowel Cancer