EDX Medical Group plc (AQSE:EDX), known for its innovative digital diagnostic products and services, has officially launched a new and comprehensive bowel cancer testing service in the UK. This service aims to enhance the early detection of bowel cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
The BC95 service, which will be available in the coming weeks, improves testing accuracy and includes a crucial assessment of a patient’s hereditary risk of developing bowel cancer. With a sensitivity of over 95% across all stages of the disease, the BC95 service represents one of the most advanced and reliable bowel cancer testing solutions in the UK. It includes a comprehensive analysis of hereditary genetic risks, along with the most dependable early detection test, which compares against the current NHS standard.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the UK, nearly 44,000 people are diagnosed each year, with someone contracting the disease every 10 minutes and a death every 30 minutes. Unfortunately, current screening methods miss 75% of new cases.
The BC95 service offers a variety of diagnostic tests, tailored to individual patient needs. Using faecal, blood, or saliva samples, the service tests for important biomarkers that help detect bowel cancer, pre-cancerous adenomas, and hereditary genetic risks. Test results are sent to the patient’s healthcare provider for follow-up.
One of the standout features of the BC95 service is its hereditary risk assessment, which can be done for men and women of any age, with or without symptoms. This test, based on the analysis of 23 genes strongly linked to bowel cancer, helps guide lifestyle choices and provides valuable information for blood relatives of individuals already diagnosed. Genetic counselling is offered before and after the test to ensure patients and their healthcare providers understand the results.
EDX Medical has partnered with Genomictree of South Korea to include the UK’s first epigenetic colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarker test – EarlyTect®-C. This test measures changes in the SDC2 gene, a marker commonly found in early-stage colorectal cancer. With a sensitivity of 95% across stages 1-4, it is the most accurate epigenetic test available in the UK. It also detects pre-cancerous polyps with a sensitivity of 58%, making it invaluable for individuals at higher risk due to hereditary factors or lifestyle.
The BC95 service also uses the qFIT test, an established diagnostic method that aids clinicians in determining the need for further interventions, such as colonoscopies or CT colonography.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of EDX Medical, said, “We’re excited to offer a service in the UK that enhances early-stage bowel cancer detection, improving both accuracy and reliability. Our service provides a complete testing package that not only detects cancer early but also identifies hereditary risks.”
Dr Mike Hudson, CEO of EDX Medical, added, “There’s increasing demand for precise testing solutions to detect bowel cancer early in the UK, where late detection remains a major cause of premature death. Our service provides tools to assess hereditary risk and ensure timely diagnosis when treatment outcomes are most favorable.”
Early detection is crucial for better patient outcomes. Five-year survival rates are significantly higher for patients diagnosed at earlier stages of bowel cancer. At stage 1, survival rates are 90%, dropping to just 10% or lower at stage 4. This underscores the need for effective early screening and detection technologies.
Improved early detection, coupled with an understanding of hereditary genetic risks, is one of the most effective ways to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
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