First results of the Flemish colorectal cancer screening program : start-up- period late 2013
| Journal | Volume 79 - 2016 |
| Issue | Fasc.4 - Original articles |
| Author(s) | Sarah Hoeck, Sarah Pringels, Eliane Kellen, Koen Van Herck, Patrick Martens, Erik Van Limbergen, Julie Francart, Guido Van Hal |
| Full article |
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| (1) Research Group Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium ; (2) Centrum voor Kankeropsporing (Center for Cancer Detection), Brugge, Belgium ; (3) Belgian Cancer Registry, Brussels, Belgium ; (4) Leuven Center for Cancer Prevention, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium ; (5) Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. |
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Background & study aims : Investigation of the first participa- tion rate and follow-up results of the Flemish colorectal cancer screening program. Patients & methods : In 2013 five age cohorts with an even age between 66 and 74 year old (n=243 335) were invited by mail to return a completed iFOBT. Participants who tested positive (=75ng/ml) were referred to a follow-up colonoscopy. Results : Participation rate was 48.4% (n=117 774). Overall positivity rate was 10.1%, and 78.1% of those tested positive underwent a colonoscopy. The positive predictive value of colo- noscopy for CRC was 8.2%, for advanced adenoma 16.9% and for non-advanced adenoma 36.5%. Conclusion : Based on the EU-guidelines 35% was expected as participation for a first screening round, thus a participation rate of 48.4% is more than acceptable for a first screening year. The high positivity rate can partly be explained by including only the older ages in the start-up-period and by the first year of mass screening in Flanders. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2016, 79, 421-428). |
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© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica. PMID 28209100 |
