A novel colon cancer test from Exact Sciences Corp. (EXAS) and the Mayo Clinic using the DNA of specimens that patients collect at home detects more tumors than methods focusing on blood in the stool, a study found, Newsmax Health reports.

The research released shows the test is about as powerful as a colonoscopy for spotting colon cancer, the third-most common type of tumor.  The test called Cologuard scans for traces of tumor DNA, genetic mutations and blood in a stool sample. It detected 92 percent of cancers and 42 percent of advanced precancerous growths, significantly more than an older test that looks only for blood in the stool. False positives occurred in more patients, about 13 percent, with Cologuard, leading them to undergo a colonoscopy that turned up no signs of cancer.

Exact Sciences, based in Madison, Wisconsin, released the preliminary results of the study in April 2013. The company filed for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the test in June and an advisory panel is scheduled March 27 to discuss the application.

The study funded by Exact Sciences involved 9,989 patients who were screened with Cologuard, an older test for blood in the stool and a colonoscopy. Offering patients more choices may boost the number of Americans who are screened each year, the researchers said. A noninvasive test like Cologuard may appeal to people because of its high sensitivity for curable-stage cancer, they said.

Colonoscopy is the most-effective available screening method for colon cancer, able to detect tumors or suspicious growths and treat them at the same time. It spots one case of cancer in every 154 people tested. The Exact Sciences product finds 1 in 166 people tested, while the older stool tests find 1 in 208 people. People with results that indicate cancer or an abnormal growth with the stool tests must then undergo a colonoscopy.