| [ Summary ] |
Medical examinations by interview before colorectal cancer screening are very important in understanding the background and mental state of examinees, and the appropriate selection of screening procedures. In addition, the immunological fecal occult blood test has been evaluated as the most reliable procedure for colorectal cancer screening. In particular, when positive results are obtained twice by a 2-day immunological fecal occult blood test, cancers developing in the rectum, cecum, and ascending colon can be detected at higher rates, and active endoscopy should be recommended for early detection of cancers. In our institution, a screening system, in which all examinees are divided into the following 2 groups, has been established ; examinees who will be initially examined by the immunological fecal occult blood test and those who will be initially examined by barium enema by indirect fluoroscopy. Consequently, the percentage of examinees undergoing endoscopic scrutiny of colorectal cancers is always maintained at around 95%, and colorectal cancers are detected at higher rates in our institution, because screening procedures can be selected based on the presence or absence of family history, a history of colorectal disorders, a history of positive results for a fecal occult blood test within 6 months, and bloody stool. |