Organized colorectal cancer screening programmes: how to optimize efficiency in the general population.
In France, free faecal occult blood testing is offered to individuals aged between 50 and 74 years every 2 years as a method of screening for colorectal cancer (CRC). To assess how a proposed organized programme of CRC screening would be perceived among a representative sample of individuals living in France, aged between 40 and 75 years, and by a representative sample of general practitioners, two nationwide observational telephone surveys were carried out in 2005 (EDIFICE 1; 1601 individuals) and 2008 (EDIFICE 2; 1801 individuals). In 2008, 38% of individuals aged between 50 and 74 years reported undergoing screening for CRC; this corresponded to a statistically significant 13% increase in CRC screening rate compared with 2005 (P=0.01). When asked whether it was possible to screen for CRC, 94% of individuals who had undergone screening (N=350) responded positively compared with 87% of individuals who had not been screened. The main reason for individuals not to undergo screening was a lack of awareness (35% of men and 37% of women, P=not significant); the second reason was lack of advice and referral from their general practitioner (21% of women versus 15% of men, P=0.03). The French population is aware of the potential benefit of CRC screening; however, many do not undergo regular screening. It is therefore important to identify the hurdles associated with CRC screening.
Capio Clinique du Parc, Toulouse, France. acalazel@capio.fr
Anne
A
Calazel-Benque
Jérôme
J
Viguier
Claire
C
Roussel
Xavier
X
Pivot
François
F
Eisinger
Jean-Yves
JY
Blay
Yvan
Y
Coscas
Jean-François
JF
Morère
D000368:Aged; D002138:Calibration; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003625:Data Collection; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011153:Population; D015397:Program Evaluation