Related Experiment Videos
Should we be screening for colorectal cancer?
1Department of Surgery, City Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.
British Medical Bulletin
|June 15, 1999
Summary
Cancer screening aims to detect diseases early for more effective treatment. Faecal occult blood testing shows promise in reducing colorectal cancer mortality through early detection at a reasonable cost.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Preventive Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cancer screening is national policy for breast and cervical cancers in the UK.
- Early detection of localized cancer improves treatment effectiveness.
- Colorectal cancer screening targets benign polyps to reduce incidence and improve outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening methods.
- To assess the potential of flexible sigmoidoscopy and faecal occult blood testing.
- To inform national policy on colorectal cancer screening implementation.
Main Methods:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy for detecting and removing pre-malignant adenomas.
- Faecal occult blood testing for early detection of invasive colorectal cancer.
- Analysis of data from randomized controlled trials.
Main Results:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy shows potential for decreasing colorectal cancer incidence.
- Faecal occult blood testing enables earlier disease detection and reduces mortality.
- Faecal occult blood screening is cost-effective.
Conclusions:
- Colorectal cancer screening, particularly faecal occult blood testing, can significantly reduce mortality.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a promising approach requiring further conclusive data.
- National implementation of faecal occult blood testing is under consideration by the Department of Health.