Panacea Laboratories
207 Perry Parkway
Suite #2
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
T: 240-404-9045
F: 240-465-0450

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in the US; 153,760 new colorectal cancer cases and 52,180 deaths due to colorectal cancer are expected this year. In an effort to detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages, The American Cancer Society (ACS) and similar organizations have published guidelines for colorectal screening. It is recommended that most people begin colorectal screening at age 50 and that this screening be repeated at specific time intervals. Approximately, 5-10% of all colorectal cancers occur in people who are at "high risk," defined as much greater than twice the average risk. An additional 15-20% of colorectal cancers occur in people at "increased risk," defined as approximately twice average risk. It is recommended that people at high and increased risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at a younger age and have screening repeated more frequently. Factors associated with an increased or high risk of colorectal cancer can be divided into two categories: personal, and hereditary or familial. Personal risk factors include: a history of colorectal cancer that has been completely removed and, to a lesser extent, a history of ovarian, uterine or breast cancer; a history of polyps, especially large adenomatous polyps; a history of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; a high fat, low-fiber diet; a sedentary life-style; obesity; cigarette smoking, both currently and in the past; heavy alcohol use; and diabetes. Other possible personal risk factors for colorectal cancer include a history of working the night-shift several nights a week for at least 15 years and previous radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Familial and hereditary risk factors include: having a close relative who had colorectal cancer before age 60; family history of polyposis syndromes and hereditary non-polyposis syndromes; African-American background; and Ashkenazi Jewish background. Frequent testing with colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enemas and fecal occult blood tests are performed in these high-and increased risk populations. The age at which this intensive screening should begin depends on the actual risk factors. For example, it should begin at puberty for those with a history of familial adenomatous polyposis, at 12 -15 years after the onset of left-sided inflammatory bowel disease and, if an immediate relative has had colorectal cancer, at 10 years before the age that the relative was diagnosed.

Failure to diagnose colorectal cancer before it has spread can have disastrous consequences. The 5 year relative survival rates are 89.8% for localized disease, 67.7% for regional disease, and 10.3% for metastatic disease. Even persons who know that they are at high risk and increased risk for colorectal cancer, however, are often non-compliant or poorly compliant with screening recommendations because they perceive the tests to be embarrassing, unpleasant and time-consuming. In addition, many people who are at higher-than-average risk do not know that they are particularly at risk nor do their physicians always inform them of their risk. Furthermore, each test has its drawbacks in terms of sensitivity and specificity, and some tests are associated with potential complications.

CC Detect^sm

CC Detect^sm is a serum test for colorectal cancer screening. It works by measuring serum levels of Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) β -Hydroxylase (HAAH). HAAH levels are significantly elevated in people with colorectal cancer compared to levels in cancer-free individuals. HAAH levels are elevated in the serum of individuals with stage I, II, III and IV colorectal cancer but not in the serum of most who are not known to have cancer. Periodic testing using CC Detect^sm is recommended for individuals at increased or high risk for colorectal cancer. CC Detect^sm testing should begin at the age and repeated with frequency consistent with ACS recommendations for other colorectal screening tests according to the individual's particular risk factor(s).

HAAH Concentrations in Individuals Not Known to have Cancer and in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

HAAH Concentrations in Patients with Colorectal Cancer by Disease Stage

CC Detect^sm provides information to differentiate individuals who have colorectal cancer from those who do not have cancer. It should be performed in individuals at increased and high risk as per the ACS recommendations for their particular risk factor(s.) Only a physician can order CC Detect^sm. The ordering physician should interpret results in conjunction with patient history, a physical exam and the results of the screening tests recommended by the ACS. Biopsy of the colon or rectum is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Detection and prompt treatment of early colorectal cancer is likely to result in improved outcomes and fewer deaths attributable to the disease.