Exact Sciences Corp., developer of the FDA-approved Cologuard colon cancer screening test, has approved Kura MD to offer patients access to qualified physicians who can prescribe the test via a secure telemedicine platform. Kura MD provides specialized telemedicine services via a HIPAA-compliant online platform to facilitate visits between Kura MD contracted physicians and patients.
The Cologuard test, approved by the FDA in August of 2014, requires a prescription from a physician and is appropriate for people age 50 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer. It is an easy to use screening test that patients can do in the privacy of their own home. According to Exact Sciences Corp., it is the first noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer that analyzes both stool DNA and blood biomarkers and has been proven to find 92% of cancers and 69% of the most advanced precancerous polyps in average-risk patients.
“Combining the Cologuard test and the Kura MD platform is a game changer in the battle against colon and rectal cancer,” said Dianne Vass, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Kura MD. “The convenience and efficacy of the Cologuard test combined with the patient-friendly Kura MD telemedicine platform enables individuals immediate access to trained physicians who can both prescribe the Cologuard test and interpret test results. This is a major step in combating colon cancer.”
Cologuard identifies abnormal cells that are shed and picked up by stool as it passes through the colon. Using advanced DNA technology, the test is able to identify the abnormal cells captured in the stool that could be associated with cancer or precancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 93,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015 and another 39,000 with rectal cancer. Ninety percent of the cases will occur in people 50 years and older.
“Screening is the number one way you can reduce your risk of colon cancer,” according to the Colon Cancer Alliance. “Despite its high incidence, colon cancer is unique in that it is one of the most preventable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer.”
The Colon Cancer Alliance Inc. is the leading national patient advocacy organization dedicated to increasing screening rates and survivorship.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.”
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