Screening and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer in China: a 12 year retrospect (1994-2006).

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world. Chinese researchers and clinical doctors had been working hard in the last 12 years, exploring efficient and convenient methods for screening and early diagnosis. The 12 years research works indicated that SFOBT plus colonoscopy was the best detecting protocol for mass screening of colorectal cancer. Serial combined testing for tumor markers plus colonoscopy is the most commonly used strategy for early diagnosis. However, still no optimum method for early diagnosis was generally accepted by most researchers. Due to intrinsic defects of the techniques, several screening and diagnostic methods should be combined to bring each advantage into full play, in order to elevate the diagnostic level of colorectal cancer.