Contribution of screening tests to colorectal cancer diagnosis in the Katowice agglomeration

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in Poland. Free prophylactic colonoscopy performed in Poland since 2000 as part of the National Program for Combating Cancer Diseases, is characterized by low reporting rates. Therefore, a study was carried out to understand the medical circumstances immediately preceding the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the Katowice agglomeration, with particular emphasis on the role of screening colonoscopy.

The questionnaire study included 96 patients with colorectal cancer. The socio-economic status, knowledge about prophylaxis, individual disease history, including diagnostic procedures, and participation in the population screening program were assessed.

In the case of patients hospitalized in the Katowice agglomeration in 2019-2022, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer occurred most often as a result of the patient visiting a doctor due to disturbing gastrointestinal symptoms (56.3% of cases). 36.4% of cases were diagnosed by a physician during a visit for reasons other than suspicion of cancer. Participation in the free screening program (colonoscopy) accounted for 6.3% of the circumstances in which the disease was detected.

The most common diagnosis of colorectal cancer was performed by the patient visiting a doctor due to disturbing symptoms from the digestive system. The mean age of the patients diagnosed with the disease as a result of reporting to a physician due to alarming symptoms was 3 years greater than the age of patients diagnosed during the screening colonoscopy.