title: Emerging role for colorectal cancer screening in Asian countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality globally. Though Asia has traditionally been considered a relatively low incidence area for colorectal cancer, the incidence is reportedly increasing. The Asia Pacific Working Group for Colorectal Cancer has recommended screening of individuals at average risk starting from 50 years of age. Based on these recommendations we conducted a pilot study to assess the need and feasibility of a colorectal cancer screening program in the state of Qatar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We screened 1385 individuals by fecal immunochemical testing for occult blood, at the primary health center level and positive cases were referred for colonoscopy. Among those who tested positive for fecal occult blood, we picked up five patients with cancers and seven with neoplastic polyps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results compare with the yield of screening programs in western countries thus suggesting an emerging role for colorectal cancer screening in Asian countries.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Kaabi
authors.forename: Nazeeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dweik
authors.forename: Rafie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yakoub
authors.forename: Anjum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Muneera
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Mohannadi
authors.forename: Manik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Derbala
authors.forename: Kakil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rasul
authors.forename: Durraiya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al Qahtani
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taher
authors.forename: Hayam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Sada
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suleiman
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ghanem
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abdulla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011780:Qatar