In cooperation with its local partner, Zentya, BGI Genomics is pleased to announce the release of COLOTECTTM 1.0 in Slovakia. Zentya is a Slovak-based provider of healthcare solutions that is passionate about giving patients access to the most advanced genetic screening technology in order to help diagnose and expedite the treatment of genetic illnesses.
One of the first fecal DNA tests for colorectal cancer to be made available in the nation is COLOTECTTM 1.0. The non-invasive fecal DNA test was created by BGI Genomics to identify precancerous lesions and colorectal cancer. In order to identify aberrant colorectal cancer DNA-methylation biomarkers from fecal samples, multiplex methylation-specific PCR (MSP) technology is used.
On March 21, 2023, Zentya conducted a press conference for the debut of a new product in Bratislava, Slovakia. DrThe event’s invited speakers were Dr. Lucia Starovecká Copák, a medical geneticist, Dr. Martin Huroka, a chief gastroenterologist with the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Jozef Dolinsk, a clinical oncologist.
Slovakia has the second-highest global rate of colorectal cancer incidence and the highest rate of colorectal cancer mortality, according to the Global Cancer Research Fund Organization (2020). This demonstrates the critical need for nationwide promotion and encouragement of colorectal cancer screening.
Age and a family history of colon cancer, according to Dr. Martin Huroka, are important risk factors for developing colorectal cancer. “Beyond age 50 or in the presence of a favorable family history, the risk of colorectal cancer increases significantly. Colorectal cancer is almost 100% avoidable, and people would not have to die from intestine cancer with frequent preventive checks”, DrThe availability of COLOTECTTM 1.0 in Slovakia offers an easy and convenient alternative for accurate screening and detection. “Its sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancers is 88%, and specificity for identifying subjects without advanced colorectal neoplasm is 92%. Most importantly, for early detection, its sensitivity for advanced adenoma is 46%”, Dr. Lucia Starovecká Copák noted.
COLOTECTTM 1.0 is CE-marked, available in more than 20 countries across South-East Europe, including Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Portugal, and many more.
Fecal samples of COLOTECTTM 1.0 can be self-collected in the privacy of your own home at any time. The ease of use and non-invasive nature of the test is expected to help overcome many of the obstacles to colorectal cancer screening faced by patients.
