title: Haemoccult screening for colorectal cancer: the effect of dietary restriction on compliance.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary restrictions on compliance with Haemoccult screening for colorectal carcinoma. One-hundred-and-fifty-three individuals were randomly allocated to perform Haemoccult tests with or without dietary restrictions, over 3 or 6 days. Those who failed to return completed tests within 6 weeks were sent a reminder letter. A small but significant improvement in compliance when testing over a 3-day period has been previously demonstrated but this difference was not seen in this study because of the small sample size. Overall, 72.8% compliance was achieved in those who were not asked to exclude certain foods during the test period compared with 51.8% in those in whom dietary restriction was requested (chi 2 = 7.45, P < 0.01). In a British population compliance with Haemoccult screening is adversely affected by the imposition of dietary restrictions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pye
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hardcastle
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mangham
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D010349:Patient Compliance