In a pioneering move, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has announced the launch of a tool for early detection of colorectal (colon) cancer according to the best international standards and protocols and the results of clinical care. The first-of-its-kind tool in the Middle East, 'Fecotest' complements the Ministry's initiative to detect the cancer at an early stage.

'Fecotest' screening has an accuracy of 92 per cent which would contribute in reducing the mortality of colon cancer between 16 and 25 per cent. Scientifically developed using documented experiments and approved by the European governments notably Belgium and France, the innovative tool has also received ISO certification.

Speaking about the launch of Fecotest, Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, emphasized that government initiatives in the healthcare sector has contributed in raising the level of medical services. He stated that it has led to the development of a healthcare system that is based on the highest international standards and in line with the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 to be one of the world's best countries in providing quality and sustainable healthcare services.

Dr. Al Olama said: "'Fecotest' is a self-examination tool which can be used within the convenience of home, before people could go to healthcare centers for advanced tests to accurate detection of the disease. This is a qualitative development in the UAE's healthcare services and an achievement of the ministerial initiatives in the early detection of cancer, reducing morbidity within an integrated prevention program. The screening tool also provides early detection of non-communicable diseases, the causative risk factors, and some of the most common types of cancers in the UAE."

Dr. Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry Health and Prevention's Health Centers and Clinics Sector, said that the Ministry will provide a 'Fecotest' - the first-of-its-kind scan tool in the region - to help people conduct fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) at home. The change in the color of test strip indicates negative or positive result, following which a patient needs to get an examination done at a healthcare center and refer to a specialist, in case of an abnormal result. Dr. Al Rand further explained that 'Fecotest' is the easiest and an accurate method for the early detection of colon cancer which is recommended once a year over the age of 35.