Screening for colorectal cancer.

Abstract

A voluntary colorectal screening program was carried out in North Carolina to evaluate the public's willingness to perform a do-it-yourself bowel test, to educate the public on the importance of routine colorectal screening, and to assess the efficacy of a small-scale screening program in detecting colorectal cancer. A screening kit was requested by 1,204 individuals after hearing or reading about the program; 770 kits were returned. Of 29 (3.7%) positive test results, six were negative after retesting. Adequate follow-up was available for 18 of the remaining 23 positive results. Thirteen were due to anal bleeding, diverticulosis, or heavy ingestion of aspirin; five were considered false-positive results, since no evidence of disease could be found. No cases of polypoid tumors or carcinoma were detected. The main value of such a program in an area with a small population base is to increase the awareness of the public of the importance of routine screening for colorectal cancer.

• Authors: J M Sterchi
• Journal: Southern medical journal (South Med J) Vol. 72 Issue 9 Pg. 1144-6 (Sep 1979) ISSN: 0038-4348 [Print] United States
• PMID: 472841 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
• Guaiac

Topics

• Adult
• Colonic Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Guaiac (analysis)
• Humans
• Occult Blood
• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
• Rectal Neoplasms (diagnosis)