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Findings from large randomized, controlled trials suggest that guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) reduce mortality from colorectal cancer. In England, a nationwide program of screening was initiated using these tests, despite substantial evidence that fecal immunochemical tests offer better uptake and performance. Researchers now report the yield from the first 1 million completed FOBTs.
By October 2008, nearly 2.1 million people aged 60 to 69 had been invited to participate in the screening program. Individuals with positive tests (i.e., with 5 or 6 out of 6 windows testing positive) were offered colonoscopy. Those with one to four positive windows were invited to repeat the tests; if any windows in as many as two additional test…