Unrequited Returns in Asymptomatic Colorectal Cancer Detection

Williamson B Strum

Scripps Clinic Medical Group, CA, USA

^*Correspondance to: Williamson B Strum 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1995

Abstract

Aim: Colonoscopy has become the favored screening test for colorectal cancer. Measures have been identified since 2000 to enhance the quality of colonoscopy and to increase screening for at-risk persons. This study was designed to determine if changes in the rates of detection of colorectal cancer in asymptomatic persons are occurring.Methods: this is an observational study of a database of 887 patients taken from the colorectal cancer registry between 2006 and 2015. Participants were between 50 and 89 years of age and had initial detection of colorectal neoplasia by screen-detection or symptom-detection, and the clinical characteristics were compared. Rates of detection of colorectal cancer in asymptomatic and symptomatic persons were evaluated over five consecutive, two-year segments.Results: 417 persons met the inclusion criteria. Screen-detected colorectal cancer occurred in 66 (16%) and symptom-detected in 351 persons and indicated the following: average age was 62.7 years vs. 71.3 years (p=0.001), men represented 66.2% vs. 49.6% (p=0.014), and early stage of disease was found in 69.7% vs. 43.9% (p=0.001). Race, family history, and location of disease were not different. Evaluation of the five two-year segments for changes in the rates of detection of screen-detected colorectal cancer did not demonstrate a significant change (p=0.803).Conclusion: Persons with colorectal cancer who were detected by screening were significantly younger, more often men, and had lower stages of disease. Rates of screen-detected colorectal cancer remained stagnant over the decade of study, implicating a rejection by at-risk persons to undergo screening or a lack of referral for screening.

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Cite the article

Strum WB. Unrequited Returns in Asymptomatic Colorectal Cancer Detection. Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 1995.