Colorectal Cancer Screening: Do We Practice What We Preach?

Objective: Compliance rates for colorectal cancer screening have been reported as low, and ignorance is the most common factor sighted to explain this. The aim of this study was to determine screening compliance among colorectal surgeons assumed to be educated of the risks of colorectal cancer. Methods: A postal survey was distributed to the members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Results: A total of 1195 members were surveyed. All respondents indicated that they advocate screening. Colonoscopy every 10 years and annual fecal occult blood testing were the most common strategies advocated to individuals with baseline risk. Colonoscopy every 5 years and annual fecal occult blood testing were the most common strategies advocated to patients with a first-degree relative with polyps or cancer. Most of these colorectal surgeons initiated their screening before 50 years of age. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer screening compliance is high among members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. These rates may be the result of awareness of the risks of colorectal cancer.

[1]  J. Buring,et al.  Epidemiology in Medicine , 1987 .

[2]  J. Petravage,et al.  Patient response to sigmoidoscopy recommendations via mailed reminders. , 1988, The Journal of family practice.

[3]  M. Brown,et al.  The knowledge and use of screening tests for colorectal and prostate cancer: data from the 1987 National Health Interview Survey. , 1990, Preventive medicine.

[4]  G. Friedman,et al.  A case-control study of screening sigmoidoscopy and mortality from colorectal cancer. , 1992, The New England journal of medicine.

[5]  M. Weinrich,et al.  Knowledge of colorectal cancer among older persons , 1992, Cancer nursing.

[6]  L M Schuman,et al.  Reducing mortality from colorectal cancer by screening for fecal occult blood. Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study. , 1993, The New England journal of medicine.

[7]  C D Langefeld,et al.  Colonic neoplasia in asymptomatic persons with negative fecal occult blood tests: influence of age, gender, and family history. , 1993, The American journal of gastroenterology.

[8]  B. Flehinger,et al.  Screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy. , 1993, Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

[9]  A. Sonnenberg,et al.  Prevention of Colorectal Cancer by Flexible Endoscopy and Polypectomy: A Case-Control Study of 32 702 Veterans , 1995, Annals of Internal Medicine.

[10]  S. Moss,et al.  Randomised controlled trial of faecal-occult-blood screening for colorectal cancer , 1989, The Lancet.

[11]  J. Olsen,et al.  Randomised study of screening for colorectal cancer with faecal-occult-blood test , 1996, The Lancet.

[12]  Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening: patient acceptance. , 1997 .

[13]  Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening: patient acceptance. , 1997, HMO practice.

[14]  N. Hyman,et al.  Practice parameters for detection of colorectal neoplasms. The Standards Committee, The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. , 1999, Diseases of the colon and rectum.

[15]  T. Heeren,et al.  Implementation of on-site screening sigmoidoscopy positively influences utilization by primary care providers. , 1999, Gastroenterology.

[16]  N. Hyman,et al.  Practice parameters for detection of colorectal neoplasms , 1999 .