Patients whose colorectal cancer is detected during a screening colonoscopy are likely to survive longer than those who wait until they have symptoms before having the test.
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From Medical Express
Colonoscopy screening may reduce CRC-related mortality
the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:
According to a study published in the journal GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, researchers have found that patients with colorectal cancer that is detected during a colonoscopy screening are more likely to survive to longer than patients who are not diagnosed until they have symptoms.For the study, researchers identified 312 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer from 10 gastroenterology practice in Germany. Patients were aged 55 years or older and were diagnosed between 2003 and 2005. Of those, 60 patients' cancer was detected during a colonoscopy screening, while 252 had their disease detected after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and/or symptoms. Symptoms that led to detection included abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, iron deficiency anemia, rectal bleeding, or weight loss. Patients were followed for up to 10 years after colorectal cancer diagnosis.
Results showed that 55% diagnosed during colonoscopy screening survived beyond the study duration compared with approximately 77% of those whose cancer was detected after symptoms or a positive FOBT.
The findings suggest that colonoscopy screening can reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality.
