Colon Cancer Kills
Colorectal cancer kills almost 53,000 people in the U.S. every year — men and women equally, and no one is immune. While therapies to treat colon cancer have improved, our strongest weapon against this deadly disease is reliable colorectal cancer screening and early detection. With early detection, five-year survival rates are above 90%. Once the disease has progressed to other organs and systems of the body, survival rates fall to 14%. Second Generation FIT® is changing the outcomes of colon cancer with simplified screening for all, and getting the right people to colonoscopy.
Getting Tested Is Key
Fecal immunochemical tests detect colon cancer, diverticulitis, colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and other lower GI disease states by looking for nano particles of a protein in blood, — a universally accepted biomarker for colorectal cancer et. al. While colonoscopies are generally recommended for those age 45 and over, the truth is that many younger people are discovering they have early stage colorectal cancer, and the FIT test is an easy detection method. Many people were shocked by the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman at the age of 43 from colon cancer. A tragedy like this just underscores the necessity of an annual at-home colon cancer test - no matter your age.
At Home Testing vs. Colonoscopy
The FIT test is considered as effective a screening tool for colorectal cancer as a colonoscopy according to the most recent American College of Gastroenterology Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines. Colonoscopies can be very disruptive to daily life for asymptomatic screening, with multi-day preparatory period in which you are allowed to eat very little, and a notorious bowel preparation (colon cleaning part of the process) regimen. With Pinnacle's at home FIT test, the entire process takes five to ten minutes, with results that approach the diagnostic accuracy of colonoscopy.
This test couldn't be easier, and of course I'm pleased because my result was negative. It took less than 10 minutes, and I had the results in the privacy of my home. Older tests had to be mailed off or acquired through the doctor's office, and you had to wait for notification. I was encouraged by the gastro doc who posted his thoughts that this was a good product.
This product delivers in one easy kit. Very easy instructions. No fail type of test. It can tell you if you should go get that colonoscopy or not before doing anything invasive. Great product! Reasonably priced. Shipped quickly.
I am 38 years old. I purchased this product after having a change in stool habits. The Second Generation FIT® test came back positive. I had a 15mm polyp in my ascending colon. I just had the colonoscopy today and the polyp was successfully removed, however I am still waiting on the biopsy which may take 2-4 weeks. This test proved to be extremely valuable and accurate.
Why did the USPSTF recently change the recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45? Here are some important factors.
The company was founded in 2011 and started producing consumer tests in 2016. The FIT test can be ordered over-the-counter for use in testing for blood in the stool. Pinnacle BioLabs indicates that its test detects globlin (proteins found in blood) levels at 50 ng/mL (50 billionths of a gram) with 98% sensitivity and 96% specificity.