Screening for colorectal cancer reduces emergency admissions

Aims. Colorectal cancer is common and accounts for over 15,000 deaths annually in England and Wales. Up to 30% of these patients require emergency surgery. Screening for colorectal cancer can reduce the mortality of colorectal cancer. This study addresses, the impact of a population-based screening study on emergency admissions with colorectal cancer. Method. From 1981 a randomized trial of Faecal Occult Blood (FOE) screening has been undertaken in the Nottingham area, recruiting over 150,000 patients. The present study examined the records of patients enrolled in this study who presented as an emergency with colorectal cancer. Results. Colorectal cancer was identified in 1962 cases, of which 468 (23.9%) presented as emergencies. The overall compliance was 60% (proportion of individuals completing at least one test). There were significantly fewer emergencies in the Screen-detected group compared with the Control group (P=<0.0001). This group also had a significantly reduced 30-day mortality and a lower stoma rate than the Control group. Conversely the Non-responders had a significantly greater proportion of emergency admissions and a significantly increased stoma rate compared with the Control group. Conclusions. Screening for colorectal cancer using a faecal occult blood test can significantly reduce the number of emergency presentations with colorectal cancer. It is likely that the introduction of a national programme of screening for colorectal cancer would lead to increased compliance and that this would lead to a significant reduction in the emergency workload on the National Health Service from colorectal cancer.