Colorectal cancer as a health care problem: evaluation of the current diagnostic options

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in Western countries. The lifetime risk of developing CRC is estimated at 5-6%. Available data indicate that the epidemiologic situation in Poland leaves a lot to be desired. Approximately 8000 patients die of CRC each year in Poland and outcomes of the disease treatment expressed as the 5-year survival rate are among the worst in Europe, not exceeding 25%. Colorectal cancer is a disease which requires activities promoting early diagnostics and wide-scale prevention due to the fact that it meets the pathologic criteria suitable for the population screening tests. Different screening tests are used in routine medical practice and their use depends on their availability to a patient, according to the principle of superiority of any screening over no screening. This article reviews different screening methods according to their practical value assessed on the basis of the best available evidence.