Faecal occult blood testing can reveal asymptomatic colorectal cancer

CEO of Aidian, Juho Himberg, was interviewed about QuikRead go iFOBT test and screening of colorectal cancer. English translation of the article can be found below:

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Finland and every year more than 3,600 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Screening for colorectal cancer will begin as a nationwide service in Finland in 2022. Aidian’s QuikRead go iFOBT has been developed to support the risk assessment of bowel symptoms and to aid in screening of colorectal cancers. The test reveals faecal occult blood level in a few minutes and thus speeds up access to further examination.

Colorectal cancer screening will begin as nationwide service in 2022. Screening will be introduced first for people aged 60-68 years. Gradually screening will be expanded by age group, and the entire target population of all 56–74-year-olds will be covered from year 2031 onwards.

The number of new colorectal cancers is in slight growth. It is affected by aging of population as well as presumably also western greasy and meat weighted diet. Colorectal cancer is usually diagnosed after retirement age but can also be diagnosed in those under 50 years of age.

"The prognosis of the disease often depends on when the diagnosis has been made. Faecal occult blood testing helps doctors prescribe patients into follow-up examination based on order of urgency", says Juho Himberg, CEO of Aidian.

Developed in Finland

Aidian (formerly Orion Diagnostica) is a Finnish-based diagnostics company, with almost 50 years of experience in developing and manufacturing reliable, fast, and easy to use diagnostic tests for the primary care needs. Aidian's best-known product is QuikRead go device and the tests used with it, for example CRP test.

In addition to headquarters in Espoo, Aidian has local offices in 12 different countries across Europe. All of Aidian’s 300 employees are committed to work as pioneers in developing products that aid the development of health care for the better.

QuikRead go iFOBT, that is developed for screening colorectal cancer, is widely used in Estonia and in the Czech Republic, among others. The device and the test method have been studied comprehensively also in England and Sweden, where it has been compared to colonoscopy as well as to other laboratory methods.

"Based on research results, QuikRead go iFOBT is a very reliable method for pre-screening of colorectal cancers. The popularity and reliability of both the method and the device is also indicated by the fact that tens of thousands of QuikRead go devices have already been sold around the world", Himberg continues.

Peace of mind within minutes

QuikRead go devices are also used in thousands of private and public health centers, hospitals and laboratories around Finland. Faecal occult blood test can be reached with a doctor's referral and in many private laboratories also without a referral.

"Achieving peace of mind takes only a few minutes. Faeces sample is taken at home and delivered according to the sampling package’s instructions, either to a private medical center or to public health care depending on whether the test is done in the private or public sector, and with or without a referral. The test result can often be received already during the visit", Himberg says.

Faecal occult blood test helps doctors in colorectal cancer screening and in prioritizing queues for colon endoscopy, i.e. colonoscopy.

"Colonoscopy can be uncomfortable procedure, and doctors do not want to do it in vain. On the other hand, if there is blood found from the faeces sample, it is good to get to colonoscopy fast. Cancer is usually diagnosed both with colonoscopy and with tissue samples taken during the examination. QuikRead go iFOBT gives a quantitative, i.e. a numerical result, of how much occult blood is in the sample, which correlates well with further examination needs", Himberg clarifies.

Article by: Taru Schroderus / Mediaplanet (original article published 1.12.2021 in Finnish and can be found from kansanterveys.fi)