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Results of a public screening program for colorectal cancer

  • K. M. Cummings
  • , A. Michalek
  • , J. Tidings
  • , L. Herrera
  • , C. Mettlin
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

A public screening program for colorectal cancer was conducted in Western New York in February 1984; 58,934 stool guaiac slide kits were distributed free of charge through the community drugstores. A total of 11,497 (19.5%) slides were returned for testing of which 264 were positive (2.3%). Of the individuals with positive test results 202 were seen by a physician after screening for further evaluation. Colorectal cancer was found in 17 cases through screening, and 12 of these cases had early stage disease. In addition, adenomatous polyps were found in 22 patients. Follow up of screening program participants who had negative test results revealed two cases of colorectal cancer. The results from this study provide evidence that screening for fecal occult blood by guaiac testing is effective in detecting early stage colorectal cancer. In addition, the test may also be useful in detecting adenomatous polyps, a lesion often found as a precursor of carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-72
Number of pages5
JournalNew York State Journal of Medicine
Volume86
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1986

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