The test detects an enzyme, called Tumour M2-PK, which is a by-product of tumour growth. The enzyme leaks from the cancerous tissue into the bowel and can then be found in faeces.

The researchers, based at Giessen University in Germany, found that levels of the enzyme in faeces not only confirmed a diagnosis, but also signalled how advanced the disease was.

The UK Government is currently considering the introduction of a national bowel-screening programme. One of the tests under consideration is the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), which is a method of detecting blood in the faeces – a symptom of bowel cancer. The researchers hope Tumour M2-PK could offer a better tool to detect the disease.

Previous research estimates that about 1,200 bowel cancer deaths would be prevented each year in England alone if the current FOBT was introduced. There are over 35,000 cases and over 16,000 deaths from bowel cancer every year in the UK.

However, the FOBT cannot distinguish whether the blood in the faeces is caused by a tumour or a minor condition such as piles.

A false positive result can also be caused by certain foods and drinks. Only about six out of every 100 people with a single positive FOBT will have bowel cancer.

This level of false results means that many people who do not have cancer might undergo invasive procedures, such as a colonoscop*(2) , unneccesarily.

The test also fails to pick up all cases of bowel cancer, as not all tumours bleed. Only about 25 – 50 per cent of bowel cancers will be detected by FOBT.

The researchers believe that an additional test for Tumour M2-PK could be key to improving the accuracy of screening. They obtained faecal samples from patients who were to undergo colonoscopies for various reasons.

The sample was taken prior to the procedure and levels of Tumour M2-PK recorded. The colonoscopy established that 60 patients had bowel cancer and 144 did not. The researchers found that the levels of Tumour M2-PK were much higher in the 60 patients with the disease.

Dr Philip Hardt, the study's lead researcher based at Giessen University Hospital, says: "We found a significant difference in the level of Tumour M2-PK between those with a confirmed diagnosis of bowel cancer and those who were disease free. There was also a very strong link between the amount of enzyme found and how far the cancer had spread.

"We will now look to test Tumour M2-PK in a large trial, but this enzyme has the potential to be an excellent safety net. It could detect more cases of the disease and possibly save unnecessary medical procedures due to fewer false positive results."

Professor Robert Souhami, Director of Policy and Communication for Cancer Research UK, which owns the British Journal of Cancer, says: "There is currently much interest in this area of research. We hope that enzymes such as this one will eventually offer not only useful screening tools, but also an effective method of monitoring bowel cancer patients in remission, so that any return of disease can be quickly detected and acted upon."

*(1) BJC Vol 91 (5)
*(2) Following a positive FOBT a doctor would call for further tests – normally a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy a doctor passes a flexible tube into the rectum and up into the bowel. As the tube bends easily, it can pass around the curves in the bowel so the doctor can examine the whole length of it. A light inside the tube helps the doctor to see any problem areas or swelling.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Faecal Occult Blood Test is a chemical test that can pick up minute traces of blood in the faeces. The test is normally done by applying a small sample of faeces to a piece of paper that contains the reacting chemical.

The paper changes colour if blood is present. The test can be done at home and then sent into the hospital for analysis. A positive test would mean further Faecal Occult Blood Tests over several weeks. If the results continue to show a positive result a doctor will usually then perform a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is performed to identify the source of the bleeding.

The Government is also considering the national introduction of another screening programme called flexible sigmoidoscopy. It involves a doctor looking into the bowel with a specially designed scope to find pre-cancerous polyps and remove them before they become cancerous.

If the results of a Cancer Research UK study show that a once in a lifetime flexible sigmoidoscopy screen prevents a substantial number of bowel cancers and is good value for the NHS, it is likely that a once-only flexi-scope screen at age 60 will also be available.