[Colorectal cancer: assessment of two-yearly screening of the population in health care examination centres].
OBJECTIVE
To present the first assessment of the two-yearly faecal occult blood test used to screen patients attending health care centres for examinations. Method The Hemoccult II test was proposed by correspondence to 26 530 subjects aged 52-74 years, having exhibited a negative test during their periodical check-up 2 years before.


RESULTS
The test was performed by 20 590 subjects and the corrected participation rate, taking into account unjustified sending, was of 83.1%. The positivity rate was 3.5%. In the 519 colonoscopies performed (71% of positive Hemoccult II), 23 cancers and 91 adenomas (31 larger than 1 cm) were observed (positive predictive value=22%). In 213 subjects, the information on the follow-up of the positive Hemoccult II were unavailable or unexploitable (lost to follow-up, coloscopy refused, inappropriate examinations).


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the two-yearly screening for colorectal cancer in an informed population after a periodical check-up results in a good participation rate. The follow-up rate of positive subjects, fundamental for the assessment of the program, is lower than during the regular check-up but remains relatively satisfactory.
Steinmetz
Josiane
J
Centre technique d'appui et de formation des Centres d'examens de santé, Vandoeuvre les Nancy. josiane.steinmetzcetaf.asso.fr
Spyckerelle
Yves
Y
Giordanella
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data