RT Journal
A1 McGarrity TJ, Long PA, Peiffer LP, Converse JO, Kreig AF
T1 REsults of a television-advertised public screening program for colorectal cancer
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD January 1
VO 149
IS 1
SP 140
OP 144
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390010128017
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390010128017
AB • We report the results of a free, television-advertised mass screening program for colorectal cancer using stool guaiac kits. A total of 57000 test kits were picked up and 29619 (53%) were returned; 3.9% (1165) of the tests were positive. Ninety-three percent of persons with a positive screen sought medical evaluation after screening. Detailed follow-up was available on 744 persons. Fifty-eight persons had large-bowel carcinomas diagnosed, 80% of which were localized. One hundred sixty persons had adenomatous polyps removed. Forty percent of cancers and 58% of polyps were detected in persons with only one or two positive test slides out of a total of six. In 33% of persons with a positive screen, the diagnostic workup consisted of a repeated stool guaiac test and/or sigmoidoscopy only. A major drawback to improving the results of mass screening programs for colorectal cancer is the limited gastrointestinal workup conducted by physicians in many persons with a positive fecal occult blood test.(Arch Intern Med 1989;149:140-144)