Study: Screening Every 2 Years Reduces Colorectal Cancer Death Rate

Screening every two years with fecal occult blood testing reduces the rate of death from colorectal cancer, according to researchers from Odense University Hospital in Denmark.

Researchers looked at 30,967 residents of Funen, Denmark, ages 45 to 75, who were randomly selected in 1985 to be screened every two years with Hemoccult-II. They compared results to a control group of 30,966 residents.

A total of 7 screening rounds were completed. Participants were given a colonoscopy if their test was positive.

Mortality from colorectal cancer was significantly less in the screening group and the reduction in mortality was most significant above the sigmoid colon, the researchers reported in the journal Gut.

Participants who did not participate in the screenings had a significantly increased risk of death from colorectal cancer compared to those who took part in the full program, the researchers said.

"The persistent reduction in mortality from colorectal cancer in a biennial screening program with Hemoccult-II, and a reduction in risk ratio to less than 0.70 in those adhering to the program, support attempts to introduce larger scale population screening programs," wrote the researchers.

"The smaller effect on mortality from colorectal cancer in the rectum and sigmoid colon suggests evaluation by additional flexible sigmoidoscopy with longer intervals."

Other Sources:Gut