No one likes getting a colonoscopy. The procedure, used to check for colon cancer, is uncomfortable, expensive, and sometimes leads to medical complications. However, screening is crucial because colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute.
Other screening options, like stool tests, are available but can be unreliable. These tests sometimes produce false positives, which can lead to unnecessary stress and further medical procedures.
To solve this problem, scientists at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are developing a simple blood test that could detect colon cancer earlier and more accurately. Their work was recently published in the journal ACS Measurement Science Au.
One of the researchers, Ruma Paul, a Ph.D. student in chemistry at UTEP, explained why early detection is so important. “The sooner we catch colon cancer, the better the chances of saving lives,” she said. “A blood test is much easier for patients, and it could also be more precise in spotting early signs of cancer. Our research could make early detection simpler in the future.”
The test focuses on a protein called CCSP-2, which is found in very high amounts in colon cancer cells—78 times more than in normal colon cells. This protein can also be detected in the blood, making it a strong marker for cancer. Scientists call these markers “biomarkers” because they serve as biological clues to the presence of disease.
Paul designed a small device, called an electrochemical immunosensor, that can detect CCSP-2 in blood samples. The goal is to create a portable device that is simple to use, possibly even at home or in a doctor’s office. But before it can become widely available, it must go through a long approval process, including patents and clinical trials, which could take years.
Dr. Carlos Cabrera, a chemistry professor at UTEP and the study’s lead author, believes the research has huge potential. “This could lead to an easy-to-use device for detecting colon cancer,” he said.
The research is just beginning. Another team member, Dr. Sourav Roy, a professor of biological sciences at UTEP, said they are also searching for other biomarkers that could improve the test.
“We’re trying to find new proteins that appear in colon cancer at different stages,” Roy explained. “The goal is to create a screening method that is affordable, accessible, and reliable using advanced biology and computer technology.”
Review and Analysis of the Study
This study is exciting because it suggests a new way to detect colon cancer that could be simpler and more comfortable than current methods. A blood test is far easier than a colonoscopy, which requires bowel preparation, sedation, and an invasive procedure. If this device becomes available, more people might get screened earlier, improving survival rates.
However, the technology is still in the early stages. Although CCSP-2 appears to be a strong biomarker, further studies are needed to confirm its reliability. The device also needs to go through clinical trials to ensure it works accurately in real-world settings.
If successful, this portable test could change the way colon cancer is detected, making screening more accessible to people who avoid colonoscopies. Early detection saves lives, and this study is a promising step toward a better and easier way to diagnose colon cancer.
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The research findings can be found in ACS Measurement Science Au.
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