Colon cancer screening programs prevent cancer

Abstract

In this article we comment on the article by Agatsuma et al. Our article focuses on the use of screening for colon cancer increases the likelihood of early diagnosis of colorectal cancer compared to those presenting after symptoms develop. Patients with symptoms were more likely to have left-sided lesions with resultant hematochezia and/or changes in bowel habits. In this study almost all patients in the screen group were first screened with immunochemical fecal occult blood testing. Colonoscopy was used either if it was thought to be the more appropriate initial screening modality or if the non-invasive test was positive. The exact timing when an initial screening colonoscopy should be performed is not totally clear from this study. However, early screening for colon cancer does reduce the risk of cancer diagnosis and more advanced cancer diagnoses.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Screening; Colonoscopy; Quality; Prevention

Core Tip: Colon cancer is rising in incidence and prevalence worldwide. Colon cancer screening programs are associated with reduction in cancer diagnoses and in advanced stages of cancer diagnoses. The ideal screening test remains unclear but both fecal immunochemical test (FIT) testing and colonoscopy are both appropriate modalities. Ultimately, if a patient has risk factors or if the FIT test is positive, then colonoscopy should be used to evaluate for colon cancer.