Screening sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer
Article Abstract:
Older individuals may benefit from screening examinations for cancer of the rectum and the colon. But, medical policy-making groups disagree over the necessity of this type of screening. Some recommend sigmoidoscopic examination of the colon every three to five years for individuals over 50 years old and yearly testing for blood in the feces. Others do not recommend screening asymptomatic individuals. Others recommend barium enemas and colonoscopic examinations of the colon after 60 years. One research study found patients who had sigmoidoscopic examinations within 10 years had a lower risk of fatal colorectal cancer. Another study of individuals with benign colorectal tumors found that the risk of colorectal cancer was associated with tumor type. Individuals with large, villous (with hair-like projections) tumors should be monitored more closely for cancer than those with small tubular tumors. Individuals between 40 and 50 years old who have a family history of colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopic examination.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Effect of fecal occult blood testing on mortality from colorectal cancer: a case-control study
Article Abstract:
Annual or biennial fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) may decrease the risk of death from colorectal cancer among certain individuals. FOBT is a screening test for colorectal cancer that involves testing for blood in the feces. A study compared 485 patients who died from colorectal cancer to 727 individuals who did not die from colorectal cancer. Patients who died from colorectal cancer had undergone FOBT or other types of screening for colorectal cancer less frequently than individuals who did not die from colorectal cancer. FOBT reduced the risk of death from colorectal cancer by 10% to 30%. The reduction in risk was slightly higher among patients who underwent laboratory FOBT than those who underwent office FOBT. Part of the reduction in risk may be attributed to chance. Eight patients who died from colorectal cancer did not comply with follow-up screening after positive FOBT results.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1993
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A case-control study of screening sigmoidoscopy and mortality from colorectal cancer
Article Abstract:
Individuals who undergo sigmoidoscopic screening may have a lower risk of death from cancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum. A sigmoidoscope is an an instrument that is used to examine the colon and rectum. Of 261 individuals who died from colorectal cancer, only 8.8% had been screened during the 10 years prior to their diagnosis, but 24.2% of 868 healthy individuals had been screened. Patients who died of colorectal cancer had fewer health checkups, rectal examinations and tests to detect blood in their feces (occult blood tests) than patients who survived. Eleven of the patients who died had had a negative sigmoidoscope examination. In four, the cancer was above the level the sigmoidoscope could reach, but in the others the cancer occurred in the area examined. These were either missed, or developed after the examination.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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