Comparing Three Colorectal Cancer Screening Techniques

A recent randomized trial found that, compared with traditional guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), immunochemical FOBT detected more colorectal cancers and advanced adenomas and achieved higher rates of screening participation among a general population of 20,000 individuals in the Netherlands (JW Gastroenterol Oct 3 2008).

Now, investigators report the results of a randomized trial that compared the performance of three colorectal cancer screening techniques (immunochemical FOBT, guaiac-based FOBT, and flexible sigmoidoscopy) among a general population of 15,000 individuals, also in the Netherlands. The primary endpoint was the rate of screening participation. The secondary endpoint was the rate of detection of an advanced neop…