Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Results in Iran

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality.
• Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) offers a highly accurate and compliant method for CRC screening.
• This study presents preliminary findings from Iran's national CRC screening initiative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report preliminary results of a large-scale CRC screening program in Iran.
• To assess the effectiveness and preliminary outcomes of Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) in a nationwide screening context.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with positive FIT results in the Iranian population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 2,669,625 participants aged 50-69 years in Iran during 2018-2019.
• Data extracted from the Integrated Electronic Health Records (SIB) database, including demographics and medical history.
• Assessment of variables such as gender, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) history, family history of CRC, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, constipation, weight loss, and FIT results.

Main Results:

• Over 2.6 million participants were screened, with 56.3% being female.
• Positive FIT rates were 3.09% in 2018 and 2.57% in 2019.
• Significant correlations were found between positive FIT results and gender, family history of CRC in second-degree relatives, and individual history of IBD.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with positive FIT results require further investigation, including colonoscopy.
• Preparation and assessment for colonoscopy are crucial before implementing screening programs.
• Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) is a viable and promotable tool for CRC screening in Iran.