From screening criteria to colorectal cancer screening: what can New Zealand learn from other countries?
New Zealand is currently exploring how population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening will be implemented. The United Kingdom (UK), Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have conducted or are currently conducting pilot/feasibility studies. The UK, Australia, Finland, Canada, France and Italy are all in the early stages of implementing population-based CRC screening programmes. Most of these countries have lower CRC mortality rates than New Zealand. New Zealand is in a good position to learn from this overseas experience. Some of the key areas that will require careful consideration include; the best use of a population register to identify and invite eligible participants; the type of screening test to be used; ensuring adequate colonoscopy capacity; efficient and effective information systems; the management of high-risk groups; and how to ensure that all population groups benefit from screening.
Shaw
Caroline
C
Department of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand. caroline.shaw@otago.ac.nz
Cunningham
Ruth
R
Sarfati
Diana
D
D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009780:Occult Blood; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic