title: European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis. First Edition--Faecal occult blood testing.
abstract: Multidisciplinary, evidence-based guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis have been developed by experts in a project coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The full guideline document covers the entire process of population-based screening. It consists of 10 chapters and over 250 recommendations, graded according to the strength of the recommendation and the supporting evidence. The 450-page guidelines and the extensive evidence base have been published by the European Commission. The chapter on faecal occult blood testing includes 21 graded recommendations. The content of the chapter is presented here to promote international discussion and collaboration by making the principles and standards recommended in the new EU Guidelines known to a wider professional and scientific community. Following these recommendations has the potential to enhance the control of colorectal cancer through improvement in the quality and effectiveness of screening programmes and services.
authors.affiliation: Bowel Cancer Screening Southern Programme Hub, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom. s.halloran@nhs.net
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Halloran
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Launoy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zappa
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005062:European Union; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006138:Guaiac; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000592:standards; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D009780:Occult Blood; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D006138:Guaiac