Screening or no screening

The primary purpose of colorectal cancer screening is the decrease in mortality of colorectal cancer. For guaiac FOBT's a decrease in mortality has been observed, but this has not been studied for immunochemical FOBT. We aim to meausre survival after random screening or no screening of a population 50-75 years of age.
In the Netherlands screening for colorectal cancer with FOBT has just started in a research fase. A random sample of 20,000 individuals of the population 50-75 years was randomised into two groups, one group was invited for screening and the other group was not. During follow-up each year the population will be censored for mortality of colorectal cancer, mortality of other causes and other reasons for loss to follow-up.

Survival after screening for colorectal cancer with faecal occult blood test is increased compared with no screening.

1. Faecal occult blood test versus no test