[Colorectal carcinoma - How can we improve prevention?]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in Europe.
• Current screening program participation in Switzerland is below 20%, hindering effective prevention.
• Low screening rates necessitate strategies to improve participation and reduce CRC mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore methods for improving colorectal cancer prevention.
• To address the low participation rates in CRC screening programs.
• To highlight the role of risk-adapted strategies and patient education in enhancing screening uptake.

Main Methods:

• Review of current colorectal cancer screening modalities, including fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and colonoscopy.
• Analysis of factors influencing screening program participation.
• Emphasis on risk stratification and shared decision-making in patient management.

Main Results:

• Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are effective in detecting tumors and advanced adenomas, reducing mortality when performed biennially.
• Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detecting and removing polyps, serving diagnostic and therapeutic roles.
• Risk-adapted prevention, patient education on screening pros and cons, and shared decision-making are crucial for improving participation.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing colorectal cancer prevention hinges on increasing screening program participation.
• Risk stratification and optimizing modifiable risk factors are essential components of effective CRC prevention strategies.
• Patient education and shared decision-making are vital for empowering individuals to engage in CRC screening.