[Efficacy of the population-based pilot colorectal screening program. Hungary, Csongrád county, 2015]

In Hungary, a nationwide colorectal screening program is about to be introduced in order to improve the extremely high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC).

The aim of our study was to summarize experiences and assess short-term efficacy of the population-based pilot colorectal screening program in 2015 in Csongrád County, Hungary.

Asymptomatic individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 with average risk of colorectal cancer participated in the program that was based on the two-step screening method (i.e. immune fecal blood test and colonoscopy). The short-term efficacy of the screening program was assessed as the change in total CRC incidence and initial tumor stage in the screening year (2015) compared to a control year (2013) in Szeged and its surroundings. Participation rate, positive predictive value of the screening methods and tumor detection rate was assessed.

22,130 individuals were invited, the participation rate was 46.4%. Immune fecal blood test proved to be non-negative in 1,343 cases (13%), screening colonoscopy was performed in 766 of them (7.5%). Total colonoscopy was performed in 711 individuals. Based on the reports, adenoma was detected in 358 (50.3%) and malignancy in 42 (5.9%) individuals. In the background population, the incidence of colon cancer was significantly higher (183 vs. 228; p = 0.026) and was diagnosed at significantly earlier stage (p = 0.002). Lymph node involvement was significantly lower in 2015 (48.3% vs. 37.1%; p = 0.049).

The Csongrád county population-based colorectal cancer screening was evidently successful on the short term considering participation rate, and the changes in CRC incidence and stage, thus its national extension is necessary. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(42): 1658-1667.