Quest Offers InSure™ Screening Test for Colorectal Cancer

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated announced that it has begun to offer InSure™, a test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration designed to screen for colorectal cancer by detecting the presence of blood in stool samples.

The test is intended to help physicians screen for colorectal cancer at an early stage in patients who are at average risk.

"InSure meets the critical need for a broad-based colorectal cancer screening test," said Dr. Joyce Schwartz, Vice President and Chief Laboratory Officer of Quest Diagnostics. "It is sensitive, specific and easy for patients to use."

InSure is reputed to be a more effective alternative to fecal occult blood testing because it is specifically designed to detect human hemoglobin only from lower gastrointestinal bleeding, from sources such as the colon and rectum, without requiring the patient to observe dietary and medicinal restrictions.

In research leading to FDA approval, studies found that that InSure provides 87 percent sensitivity for colorectal cancer detection.

Other sources: Quest Diagnostics