The Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention (NORCCAP) screening study: baseline findings and implementations for clinical work-up in age groups 50-64 years

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2003 Jun;38(6):635-42. doi: 10.1080/00365520310003002.

Abstract

Background: Randomized controlled trials of sufficient power testing the long-term effect of screening for colorectal neoplasia only exist for faecal occult blood testing (FOBT). There is indirect evidence that flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) may have a greater yield. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of screening with FS or a combination of FS and FOBT in an average-risk population in an urban and combined urban and rural population in Norway.

Methods: 20,780 men and women (1:1), aged 50-64 years, were invited for once-only screening (FS only or a combination of FS and FOBT (1:1)) by randomization from the population registry. A positive FS was defined as a finding of any neoplasia or any polyp > or = 10 mm. A positive FS or FOBT qualified for colonoscopy.

Results: Overall attendance was 65%. Forty-one (0.3%) cases of CRC were detected. Any adenoma was found in 2208 (17%) participants and 545 (4.2%) had high-risk adenomas. There was no difference in diagnostic yield between the FS and the FS and FOBT group regarding CRC or high-risk adenoma. Work-up load comprised 2821 colonoscopies in 2524 (20%) screenees and 10% of screenees were recommended later colonoscopy surveillance. There were no severe complications at FS, but six perforations after therapeutic colonoscopy (1:336).

Conclusions: The present study bodes well for future management of a national screening programme, provided that follow-up results reflect adequate proof of a net benefit. It is highly questionable whether the addition of once-only FOBT to FS will contribute to this effect.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / therapy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Carcinoid Tumor / therapy
  • Colectomy / methods
  • Colonic Polyps / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Polyps / therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Occult Blood*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rural Population
  • Sigmoidoscopy / methods*
  • Urban Population