• EXACT Sciences (Marlborough, Massachusetts) reported the publication of a study which concluded that patients who are educated about, but inexperienced with, the various colorectal cancer (CRC) screening methods prefer stool-based DNA technology (sDNA) over other non-invasive methods. In the study, 263 subjects were educated about six CRC screening tests: colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy plus FOBT, double contrast barium enema and sDNA. The authors concluded that average risk patients who are inexperienced with screening prefer sDNA among non-invasive options and prefer colonoscopy, overall, due to its effectiveness. Importantly, the study also showed that most patients value a shared decision-making process with their physician when it came to test selection. Finally, the authors found that because colonoscopy and stool-based tests, particularly sDNA testing, are preferred over other options, it suggests that provider-patient decision making can be tailored to include fewer options. Among the tests evaluated, patients preferred colonoscopy, sDNA and FOBT by a wide margin over all other options. EXACT Sciences uses applied genomics to develop patient-friendly screening technologies for use in the detection of cancer.

• A study published in the June issue of Journal of Alzheimer's Disease demonstrates the accuracy and validity of a new mathematics-based memory assessment developed by Medical Care (Irvine, California), the company said, to detect early signs of memory impairment due to Alzheimer's and other related disorders. The MCI Screen outperformed two widely used pen-and-paper tests, supporting the importance of regular memory assessments of people over 65 by primary care physicians, according to the study's authors. The MCI Screen, a computer-based memory assessment, was 96% accurate in detecting impaired patients, while the MMSE was 72% accurate and the CDT 57%. The MCI Screen detected memory disorders from a variety of conditions ranging from Alzheimer's disease (43%) to cerebrovascular disease (36%) to depression (3%). Of the 254 patients assessed, 20% were found to have underlying medical conditions. However, two-thirds had no subjective complaints of impairment and would not have received medical attention if they had not been screened for memory loss. Medical Care makes dementia care products.