The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommended two additional tests made by a Marlborough company to screen for colon cancer. They decided to add a so-called virtual colonoscopy, Computerized Tomography Colonography (CTC), to its colon cancer screening guidelines and a stool test that detects mutated DNA shed from tumors.

“Provided that advanced, proven techniques are employed in the clinical setting, CTC is included in the guidelines as an option for colorectal cancer screening and prevention in average-risk adults aged 50 years and older,” said ACS.

The Chief Executive of Medicsight, a leading developer of computer-aided detection (CAD) software solutions, David Sumner, said: “We are delighted that the ACS has decided to include CTC in the panel of tests that physicians have at their disposal when screening for colorectal cancer. The ACS endorsement is expected to lead to routine reimbursement for CTC and thereby to a material increase in the use of CTC for screening those populations who are most at risk of developing this devastating condition.” Medicsight is expecting CAD software to be an important beneficiary of wider use of CTC screening.

The second leading cause of cancer death in the US is colorectal cancer, but when detected early, the survival rate is high. Adults aged 50 or older are most at risk, so they are recommended to be screened regularly.

The actual colonoscopy procedure is uncomfortable, as the insertion of a flexible metal tube into the colon is involved. As a result, most adults aren't getting the recommended screening tests for the disease. The CTC can visualize the colon without snaking a tube into it, so scanning offers patients an alternative routine screening method for early detection.