A recent report issued in Health Affairs, a publication of Project HOPE, (http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/hlthaff.2008.0898) states the following, ‘Across a broad population, high-sensitivity fecal occult blood tests can result in more benefit than colonoscopy.’ This is a statement that can mislead many readers, so I’d like to take this opportunity to point out one major overlooked fact: A cancer survived is not the same as a cancer prevented.

A fecal occult blood test indicates that there is blood in the stool. Because tumors tend to bleed, this is an indication that cancer is present. Yes, it’s cheaper than colonoscopies but can’t we also assume that most people prefer to prevent cancer as opposed to be diagnosed with cancer?

Another disturbing fact related to FOBT tests was published in Medical News (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100416/Current-screening-methods-for-FOBT-are-often-not-appropriate.aspx) on April 16,2010. The article states that ‘at least 75% of primary care physicians do not properly administer FOBT tests. National guidelines recommend that FOBT testing be done with stool samples collected at home. Previous studies have shown that the in-office FOBT, in which a single stool sample is collected by a physician during a digital rectal examination, is ineffective because it misses 95 percent of cancers or polyps that may become cancer. The in-office test is not recommended for colorectal cancer screening.’