title: [Colorectal cancer screening at Clínica Alemana, Santiago de Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rapidly increasing. It has been demonstrated that it can be prevented and cured when the diagnosis is made in early stages.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  For this reason it is necessary to apply a screening program in asymptomatic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 2003, we conducted a CRC screening plan called "Mes del Colon" at Clínica Alemana Santiago. A press and local diffusion campaign was designed. Open to the community CRC talks were scheduled. An ad hoc database was designed. An informed consent was available. Patients older than 50 years and high risk patients were included. Total colonoscopy and a medical interview after the procedure were included in the plan with favorable economic conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 2003, 1158 patients were included The 1.8% of them were excluded because of incomplete data or because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The 54% of patients were women. Mean age was 58.4 years old and mean body mass index 25.5 kg/m2. Polipoid lesions were seen in 45% of the patients. Six (1%) of them were adenocarcinomas, 291 (57%) adenomas (98% tubular adenomas), 189 (37%) hyperplastic polyps and 25 (5%) miscellaneous lesions. In this series, the necessary number to investigate for 1 adenoma was 3.9.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRC prevention campaigns are needed due to the continuous increase of the incidence in our country. The detection of precursor or early lesions that are longstanding before becoming advanced cancer allows its treatment avoiding progression.
authors.affiliation: The Latin-American WGO and OMED Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Training Center, Clínica Alemana, Chile.
authors.forename: Maria de los Angeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santander
authors.forename: Jaquelina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gobelet
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valdivieso
authors.forename: Maria Antonieta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: Roque
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sáenz
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alarcón
authors.forename: Soledad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elías
authors.forename: Lizzy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Olivares
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002677:Chile; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*