Colorectal cancer screening coverage in Greece. PACMeR 02.01 study collaboration

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer death in European countries and differences in screening implementation may in part explain USA vs European survival differences. Despite the evidence, no study has evaluated the population colorectal cancer screening (CCS) coverage in any European country. We aimed to index the current CCS practices among a large sample of Greek healthy adults.

The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. Screening practice habits of 5,259 healthy adults, aged 50-80, were surveyed. Both overall and screening practices of stool occult blood test (SOBT), digital rectal examination (DRE), and colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (COL/SIG) were analyzed.

Of the population analyzed, 90.1% declared that they were interested in cancer prevention activities. Overall SOBT practice rate within the last 2 years was 4.77%. When only screening procedures were analyzed, this percentage shrank to 1.73%. Overall and screening COL/SIG rates within the last 10 years were 8.76 and 1.74%, respectively. The respective proportions of individuals who underwent DRE were 14.54 and 5.2%. Evidence-based screening practices were influenced by age, family history of colorectal cancer, profession, and educational level; however, SOBT and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy did not overcome 4.1 and 4.6% in any subpopulation analyzed.

The level of CCS coverage among the examined sample of Greek adults was discouraging. Surveys among other European countries are encouraged.