Cologuard sDNA is a new and more accurate non-invasive test for identifying colon cancer. Mayo clinic research group, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the American cancer society wants further research before large scale implementation of this technique.

Cologuard is slated for comparative analysis with traditional colonoscopy and will be made available for sale in the next two years.

Current methods of treatment include invasive screens like colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy and the non-invasive fecal occult blood test or FOBT. Cologuard sDNA will be the first noninvasive test to detect pre-cancerous polyps.

150,000 people are affected by colon cancer each year costing a massive $14 billion dollars.

Scientists are focusing to eradicate colon cancer by screening for not only cancer but also pre-cancer indications.

Patients with precancerous and cancerous polyps shed cells in their stools. In this procedure, the collected cells are analyzed for changes in DNA. Invasive techniques are then used to confirm occurrence of cancer. The test detected 64% of the grown polyps that will mature to cause the disease and 85% of advanced cancer. The scientists agree that the next challenge will be to determine success of this test in a much larger population with a small sample set prone to the illness.

Disadvantages of cologuard sDNA pale in comparison to its advantages. This test requires only few more improvements, is more sensitive, has ability to detect cancer throughout the colon and does not require patient preparation.

Concomitant research has identified a gene variant that can predict early stage colon cancer and in another study, colon cancer is linked to the length of telomeres. Cost of this technique is not yet estimated.Dr. Durado Brooks, American Cancer Society says "Obviously, these findings need to be replicated on a larger scale; hopefully, this is a good start for a more reliable test."