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Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk subjects: A community-based pilot project
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk subjects: A community-based pilot project

J.K. Olynyk, S. Aquilia, D.R. Fletcher and J.A. Dickinson
Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.165(2), pp.74-76
1996
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Abstract

Design: Subjects, chosen at random and recruited by mail, were examined by flexible sigmoidoscopy. Participants and setting: Normal-risk, asymptomatic men and women aged 55-59 years recruited from the community, July to December, 1995. Main outcome measures: Number of polyps detected and cancers diagnosed, and compliance with screening. Results: Letters of invitation were sent to 3500 subjects; of these, 2881 were eligible for inclusion in the study and 342 (12%) consented to participate. A further 3.5% of non-compliant subjects attended the screening program after a telephone survey assessing reasons for non-attendance. Common reasons for non-attendance were a lack of interest (30%) or a lack of time, mainly due to work commitments (28%). A third of subjects had polyps and 46% of these were adenomas. Three subjects were found to have adenocarcinoma: in two the cancer was confined to a polyp and treated with polypectomy, and one subject underwent anterior resection (overall prevalence of cancer, 0.9%). The median depth of insertion achieved with flexible sigmoidoscopy was 55 cm (range, 25-100 cm). Median pain level (on a scale of 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain imaginable) was 2 (range, 0-8.5), and 99% of the subjects would have the test again if required. Conclusions: Flexible sigmoidoscopy was well tolerated and had an acceptable detection rate of adenomatous polyps and early cancer. Subject compliance emerged as a major issue which requires further evaluation to maximise participation in future programs.

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