title: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictivity of the Hemoccult test in screening for colorectal cancers. The University of Minnesota's Colon Cancer Control Study.
abstract: Data are presented on the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictivity of the Hemoccult test based on the experience of the Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study, a randomized clinical trial to determine whether the use of the Hemoccult test can reduce mortality from colorectal cancer. Rehydrating the slides with a drop of water before processing resulted in an increase in positivity (2.4% to 9.8%), and sensitivity (80.8% to 92.2%) but a decrease in specificity (97.7% to 90.4%) and positive predictivity (5.6% to 2.2%). The effects of age and sex were also evaluated. The test was less specific for men than women (p = 0.03). Specificity was highest for those less than 60 yr of age and decreased with increasing age (p = 0.05). The positive predictivity increased with age from 1.6% for those under 60 yr to 3.6% for those over 70 yr (p = 0.0004).
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Snover
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schuman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ederer
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gilbertsen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009780:Occult Blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors