Hemoccult II test: routine screening procedure for colorectal neoplasm?

In October, 1978, the Hemoccult II Test was introduced as a screening procedure by the Sydney Hospital Heath Information and Screening Service. In the first two years, 4498 people were screened and 150 positive results were obtained. These people were referred for further investigation, with 114 choosing to attend the Edward Wilson Colon and Rectum Unit outpatient clinic at Sydney Hospital. Forty-four patients were found to have 59 colorectal neoplasms of which 13 were carcinomas. This represents a cancer incidence of 0.29% and corroborates the results of similar studies conducted overseas.