Health Buzz: Noninvasive Stool Test Could Detect Colon Cancer

October 29, 2010 RSS Feed Print

New Colon Cancer Screening Test Could Lead To Early Detection

A reliable, at-home colon cancer screening test that identifies DNA mutations in stool samples could soon supplement the dreaded colonoscopy. Exact Sciences Corp.'s noninvasive tool is far more predictive of colon cancer than the standard stool blood test because it screens for mutations associated with the presence of tumors. In a study of more than 1,000 patients, the test detected 85 percent of colon cancers, 64 percent of precancerous polyps, and 90 percent of healthy samples, researchers said Thursday at an American Association for Cancer Research conference. About 150,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year, and 50,000 die from the disease annually. Often, that's because people shy away from invasive and somewhat risky colonoscopies until they have symptoms—indicating that the disease may already be advanced, The Wall Street Journal reports. "The noninvasive test we have developed is simple for patients, involves no diet or medication restriction, no unpleasant bowel preparation, and no lost work time, as it can be done from home," David Ahlquist, a Mayo Clinic researcher who helped develop the test, said at the conference. "Positive tests would be followed up with colonoscopy." The tool requires at least another year of development before it's ready for clinical use, researchers said.

Healthcare Reform Alters Insurance Choices for 2011

Many people would rather get a tooth pulled than spend hours poring over the coverage details of health insurance plans. But this year, it could really pay off to educate yourself on all the options instead of automatically renewing your old plan, writes U.S. News's Deborah Kotz. You may be able to take advantage of some benefits that kicked in over the past few months under the new health reform law. If the Affordable Care Act stands as passed, insurance exchanges offering health plans to all will open for business in 2014. In the meantime, insurance companies have been forced to rectify some "unfair practices," such as denying coverage to kids with pre-existing conditions and setting lifetime limits on benefits. But some of these improvements only affect certain plans, which is why you need to grab your glasses and read the fine print. Here's what to look for:

1. Free preventive services. Any new health plan your employer adds to its roster must provide free coverage, without copays or deductibles, for a slew of screening tests, exams, and counseling services. The 50-plus freebie list includes blood pressure screenings, mammograms, cholesterol checks, and vaccines, as well as depression screenings, breast-feeding support for new mothers, smoking cessation counseling, and behavioral assessments for kids. Next year the government may add contraception, maternity care, and pelvic exams to the list. If you simply renew your old plan, you'll probably still have to pay as usual for these services, says Cheryl Fish-Parcham, deputy director of health policy at the nonprofit advocacy group Families USA. That's because plans that were in place before the healthcare law passed in March are exempt. But old plans lose this "grandfathered" status if they make even small changes, including charging significantly higher copays or deductibles, eliminating any previously covered benefits, or decreasing the employer's share of the premium. It's best to verify your own plan's status. [Read more: Healthcare Reform Alters Insurance Choices for 2011.]

6 Fitness Splurges Worth the Money

Splurging on your fitness can certainly be a worthy investment, fitness blogger Chelsea Bush writes for U.S. News. But how can you tell the solid buys from the novelties destined to collect dust in your basement? Top fitness professionals identified six smart ways to spend your money.

1. Behavior changing programs. Programs designed to help you adopt a new exercise mindset—such as audio tapes, hypnotherapy or motivational classes—can be a great way to break those ingrained sedentary habits. "These types of programs can help with [any] behavioral issues that prevent you from engaging in a healthy lifestyle," says Marta Montenegro, a professor of exercise physiology at Florida International University in Miami. Many use techniques such as visualization, positive suggestion, repetition and reinforcement to change patterns of thinking—so you're more likely to hit the gym after work instead of the couch. Cost: About $150 for group classes or $30 for an audio recording. Private therapy sessions run $75 to $100 per hour.

2. Fitness retreat or boot camp. These last anywhere from a day to a week and typically involve regimented meal and exercise plans, as well as motivational speakers, fitness instructors and team-based activities. Boot camps often schedule high-intensity workouts—many gyms now offer boot-camp-style classes—while fitness retreats tend to be more vacation-like, with nature-filled activities such as trail running, river rafting and snowshoeing. "Studies show that group classes motivate people to stick to an exercise program more than training by themselves," Montenegro says. Cost: These getaways generally start at $200 per day. [Read more: 6 Fitness Splurges Worth the Money.]

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