title: Faecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer screening: the past or the future.
abstract: Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) reduces CRC mortality; many countries have implemented population-based CRC screening programmes and many more are poised to do so. Whilst several different CRC screening modalities are available, choice will be influenced by cost, available resources (e.g. high-quality colonoscopy) and acceptability of the test by the invited population. For CRC screening, no screening test has so far surpassed the practicality, affordability and effectiveness of tests for the presence of blood in faeces (faecal occult blood tests, FOBt). The results of several large FOBt-based randomised controlled trials provide the best clinical evidence to support their use in population-based CRC screening. This review considers the current options for CRC screening and the future for FOBt.
authors: NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Southern Programme Hub, 20 Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YS, UK, sally.benton@nhs.net.
authors: Sally C
authors: SC
authors: Benton
authors: Helen E
authors: HE
authors: Seaman
authors: Stephen P
authors: SP
authors: Halloran
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006138:Guaiac; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009780:Occult Blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D006138:Guaiac