[Prevention of colorectal carcinoma. Annual hemoccult test and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years].
The slow development of colorectal carcinoma from adenoma over dysplastic state to malignancy within 10-15 years results in a long preclinical phase during which the tumor is readily detectable and curable. Therefore and because of the lack of early alerting signs colorectal cancer is highly suited to screening. The faecal occult blood test has been added to the yearly program of cancer prevention for each individual age 45 and higher. This test has been evaluated in controlled prospective trials. For several reasons the combination of faecal occult blood test with flexible sigmoidoscopy at five year intervals is recommended. Concerning colonoscopy as a screening test to date no data from controlled trails are available. Virtual colonoscopy and gene-based screening which are currently being developed may be future options.
Rosenbaum
A
A
Medizinische Klinik C, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen gGmbH. MedCLu@t-online.de
Riemann
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D016019:Survival Analysis