Mass colorectal cancer screening: choosing an effective strategy

1. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related death in the U.S. 2. Efforts to control this disease have focused primarily on early disease detection and treatment. 3. The occupational health nurse can assume the role of educating employees regarding known risk factors and disease signs and symptoms. 4. In those situations when employee risk factors justify mass screening, the occupational health nurse must work to identify the high risk individuals appropriate for screening and facilitate their understanding and compliance with screening and referral procedures.