Screening for colorectal cancer in a Hungarian county.

An initial screening for colorectal cancer in asymptomatic adults was performed with Haemoccult in 26,357 persons, rigid rectoscopy in 10,673 and flexible sigmoidoscopy in 3,963 persons. The rate of cancer detection was 4.4% in screenees with a positive Haemoccult test, 0.08% using rigid rectoscopy and 0.28% using flexible sigmoidoscopy. The respective frequency of patients discovered to have polyps was 16.2%, 1.32% and 8.49%. 77% of the 36 colorectal cancers detected due to the Haemoccult test program were either Dukes A or B. A comparison of these screening results indicates that Haemoccult screening markedly increases the yield of colorectal neoplasms when asymptomatic persons are examined. This screening should be repeated annually to reduce the morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer.