Fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer. Can we afford not to do this?
Current practice guidelines recommend annual fecal occult blood test screening for colorectal cancer in the average-risk population over the age of 50. Efficacy of fecal occult blood test screening is supported by several controlled prospective trials and case-control studies. Implementation of this recommendation, in combination with periodic flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, is feasible, affordable, highly effective, and has the potential for reducing colorectal cancer mortality by at least 50%. With over 50,000 Americans dying of this malignancy each year, we cannot afford not to do this.
Bond
J H
JH
Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D009780:Occult Blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity