Review article
Epidemiology and screening of colorectal cancer
Nataša Antoljak
orcid.org/0000-0002-0713-2810
; Croatian National Institute of Public Health University Zagreb, School of Medicine, School of public health ’dr. Andrija Štampar’,Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Šekerija
orcid.org/0000-0001-7508-1501
; Croatian National Institute of Public Health University Zagreb, School of Medicine, School of public health ’dr. Andrija Štampar’,Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is global problem with 1.36 million new cases each year. Moreover it is the third most common cancer in men worldwide (746,000; 10%) and second most common in women (614,000 cases; 9.2%). The main characteristic of colorectal cancer is slow development and long presympthomatic phase, so it make possible for early diagnose as well as prevention by removing polyps. Faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for early detection of colorectal cancer is an evidence based, cost-effective screening strategy and is the most commonly chosen approach in organised population-based colorectal cancer screening programmes throughout the world. There are two main kinds of tests-one guaiac based which detects hem in haemoglobin and other, immunochemical directed to detect protein part globuline. All FOBT positive persons are sent to colonoscopy. CRC incidence and mortality data in Croatia still show high values, especially in males so
national colorectal cancer screening programme started in Croatia under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now the Ministry of Health) at the end of 2007. All citizens age 50-74 years are invited to programme. First cycle lasted longer due to legal and financial difficulties related to the harmonization of legislation with EU law and finished in 2012. Response rate was 21%, so the second cycle started in September 2013thin reorganized form which includes educational and
promotive campaign and participation of primary care physicians and field nurses.
Keywords
epidemiology; colorectal cancer; mortality; screening
Hrčak ID:
200288
URI
Publication date:
27.12.2013.
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