Publication
Title
Population-based screening for colorectal cancer using an immunochemical faecal occult blood test : a comparison of two invitation strategies
Author
Abstract
Background: To date, there is no screening programme for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Flanders, Belgium. However, The European Code Against Cancer (2003) recommends a population-based approach for CRC screening. This study aimed to obtain information about potential participation rates for a population-based screening programme for CRC in Flanders, and to compare two invitation strategies. Methods: In 2009, a trial programme for CRC screening was set up in three Flemish areas for all average-risk people aged 50-74 years, using an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) with a cut-off value set at 75 ng/ml of haemoglobin. The faecal sampling set was sent at random by post (mail group) or provided by the general practitioner (GP group). Results: In total, 19,542 people were invited to participate. Of these, 8229 provided a faecal sample, resulting in an overall participation rate of 42.1%. Participation by mail and through the GP was 52.3% (95% CI, 51.3-53.2) and 27.7% (95% CI, 26.7-28.6), respectively. The difference of 24.6% was statistically significant (95% CI, 23.3-25.9, p < 0.001). Before the reminder letter was sent and the other invitation strategy was offered, the overall participation rate was 26.5% (n = 5176); 36.4% (95% CI, 35.5-37.4) for the mail group and 16.6% (95% CI, 15.8-17.3) for the GP group. The odds of participating in CRC screening was almost three times higher for people invited by mail as opposed to people invited through a GP (OR = 2.96, 95% CI, 2.78-3.14, p < 0.001). Women were more likely to participate in CRC screening than men (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.15-1.30, p < 0.001). In addition, we found that inhabitants from residential (OR = 1.98, 95% CI, 1.85-2.11) and rural (OR = 2.90, 95% CI, 2.66-3.16) areas were more likely to participate than those in urban areas. Of the 8229 people who submitted a faecal sample, 435 (5.3%) had a positive iFOBT, and of those, CRC was diagnosed in 18 (5.7%) individuals. Compliance for follow-up colonoscopy was 72.9%, and did not differ between the mail (72.4%, 95% CI, 67.5-77.3) and GP groups (74.3, 95% CI, 66.2-82.5). Conclusion: Inviting people for CRC screening by means of a direct-mail invitation, and including a faecal sampling set (iFOBT), results in much higher participation rates than inviting people through the GP. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Cancer epidemiology
Publication
2012
ISSN
1877-7821
DOI
10.1016/J.CANEP.2012.04.003
Volume/pages
36 :5 (2012) , p. E317-E324
ISI
000309818500009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Pilot project "population-based study into colorectal cancer".
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 06.12.2012
Last edited 09.10.2023
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