Evaluation of effectiveness of mass screening for colorectal cancer.

As the first step in the epidemiological evaluation of the effectiveness of mass screening for colorectal cancer, we compared clinicopathological features and survival rates of patients with cancer detected by mass screening (screened group) with those for patients treated in our outpatient clinic in the same period (outpatient group). The screened group consisted of 53 patients with colorectal cancer detected by 2-day or 3-day screening for fecal occult blood by guaiac slides. Their background factors were comparable to those of 120 patients of the outpatient group in regard to age, sex ratio, location of cancer, and histological type of cancer.

Mass screening for colorectal cancer by testing for occult blood under restricted diet and a questionnaire in Osaka.

Because of the recent increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in Japan, attempts were made to find an effective method for screening asymptomatic patients with this cancer. A total of 12,520 participants in Osaka were screened in a 2-year program from April 1982 by a test of fecal occult blood under a restricted diet, and a medical questionnaire. Occult blood in feces was examined for 3 consecutive days using one guaiac-impregnated slide (Shionogi B) each day.

[Occult blood screening for colorectal cancer].

Because of the recent increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in Japan, attempts were made to find an effective method for screening asymptomatic patients with this cancer. In current mass screening, guaiac-impregnated slides such as the Shionogi and Hemoccult types are widely used. A screening system consisting of examination with Shionogi B slides for 3 consecutive days under mild restricted diet and a medical questionnaire, followed by re-examination under a restricted diet for persons showing a partially positive result is accepted as the most reliable screening method.

[Mass screening for breast cancer--the results for 15 years].

Mass screening for breast cancer has been carried out in 13 cities in Osaka Prefecture for the past 15 years. The screening method was inspection and palpation by the physician, and examination by mammography was performed for the women with abnormal findings as the second screening. Among the total of 73,488 examinees (actual number was 44,835 examinees) 3,022 (4.

[Mass screening for colorectal cancer by occult blood testing under restricted diet].

We conducted a mass screening survey for colorectal cancer by the combination of fecal occult blood tests under a restricted diet and a medical questionnaire in 7,392 healthy volunteers. Further diagnostic work-up was needed in 1,934 (26.2%) individuals.