Double Risk of Death for Bowel Cancer Patients with Positive Stool Tests

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Lancet Primary Care journal found that patients with a positive stool test for bowel cancer symptoms had double the risk of death after one year compared to those with negative tests. The study, led by Professor David Humes at the University of Nottingham, analyzed data from nearly 50,000 patients living in Nottingham between 2017 and 2022 who had a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) due to symptoms of bowel cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that patients with a positive stool test for bowel cancer symptoms had double the risk of death after one year compared to those with negative tests.
  • The increased risk of death was not due to bowel cancer, but due to other causes.
  • The study used anonymous data from nearly 50,000 patients living in Nottingham between 2017 and 2022.
  • In the year following a FIT due to bowel cancer symptoms, 1,971 (4%) patients died.
  • The study suggests that the test could be used to detect other serious diseases, as well as bowel cancer.
  • The next step is to look at the causes of death after a positive FIT to decide whether other diseases should be tested for.

Statistics:

  • 4% of patients who had a FIT due to bowel cancer symptoms died in the year following the test.
  • Patients with a positive stool test for bowel cancer symptoms had a double risk of death after one year compared to those with negative tests.
  • The study analyzed data from nearly 50,000 patients living in Nottingham between 2017 and 2022.

Sources:

  • University of Nottingham (Aug. 27)
  • Lancet Primary Care (journal article)
  • The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research