New AI Stool Test Detects 90 Percent of Colorectal Cancers, May Reduce Need for Colonoscopies
Researchers have developed a stool test that uses artificial intelligence to map gut bacteria and detect 90 percent of colorectal cancers. The test could offer a less invasive alternative to colonoscopies for many patients.
A new stool test that uses artificial intelligence to analyze gut bacteria can detect 90 percent of colorectal cancers, according to recent research. The test could reduce the need for colonoscopies in many patients, offering a less invasive screening option.
The test works by mapping the composition of bacteria in a stool sample. AI algorithms then analyze the bacterial patterns to identify signatures associated with colorectal cancer. Researchers say the approach is more accurate than existing stool-based tests currently in use.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. Early detection significantly improves survival rates, but many patients avoid colonoscopies because of the preparation process and the invasive nature of the procedure.
Current non-invasive stool tests, such as the fecal immunochemical test and the Cologuard test, detect blood or DNA markers in stool. The new AI-based test adds a layer of analysis by examining the microbiome, which researchers say provides additional signals that improve accuracy.
Doctors caution that the test is still in development and has not yet received FDA approval. Clinical trials are ongoing to confirm the results in larger and more diverse patient populations.
If approved, the test could be used as a first-line screening tool, with colonoscopies reserved for patients who test positive. Researchers say this approach could increase overall screening rates by making the process more accessible and less intimidating for patients who currently avoid it.
