Review: colorectal cancer screening with the faecal occult blood test reduced colorectal cancer mortality
Q Does using the faecal occult blood test to screen for colorectal cancer reduce colorectal cancer mortality?
METHODS
Data sources:
Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, PsycINFO, AMED, SIGLE, HMIC, and Cochrane Library (to Feb 2006); reference lists; and study investigators.
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared screening for colorectal cancer in adults using repeated faecal occult blood tests (guiac or immunochemical) with no screening. 4 RCTs were included (age 45–75 y, length of follow-up 8.5–18.4 y). Quality of study methods was assessed for randomisation procedures, blinding, and follow-up.
Outcomes:
colorectal cancer mortality. Secondary outcomes included colorectal cancer stage, compliance, and all-cause mortality.
MAIN RESULTS
Colorectal cancer …
