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Screening for colorectal cancer and polyps among pattern makers.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|August 1, 1986
Summary
A cancer screening of 1,465 men detected ten colon cancer cases, a threefold increase over expected rates. Fifteen percent also had colorectal polyps, indicating a high prevalence of colorectal disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A union requested a cancer screening program for the Pattern Makers' League of North America.
- Previous screenings used rigid sigmoidoscopy, making direct comparison difficult.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of colon cancer and colorectal polyps in a screened population.
- To evaluate the observed colon cancer rates against expected numbers.
Main Methods:
- 1,465 white men were screened using flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- Expected colon cancer cases were estimated using a 5-year mean duration of the detectable preclinical phase and age-specific incidence rates.
Main Results:
- Ten colon cancer cases were detected, representing an approximate threefold increase compared to expected rates.
- Invasive cancer showed a nearly twofold increase.
- Fifteen percent of participants had one or more colorectal polyps.
Conclusions:
- The screening identified a significantly higher number of colon cancer cases than expected.
- The findings suggest a high prevalence of colorectal disease within this population.
- Further investigation into the causes and implications of these elevated rates is warranted.