Efficacy of the population-based pilot colorectal cancer screening, Csongrád county, Hungary, 2015

Abstract

Background/aim: In Hungary, a nationwide colorectal screening program is about to be introduced in order to improve the highmortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim was to summarize experiences from and assess short-term efficacy of the populationbased pilot colorectal screening program in 2015 in Csongrád county, Hungary.Materials and methods: Asymptomatic individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 with average risk of colorectal cancer participated inthe program that was based on the two-step screening method: immune fecal blood test and colonoscopy. The short-term efficacy wasassessed as the change in total CRC incidence and initial tumor stage in the screening year (2015).Results: 22,130 individuals were invited to participate, and the participation rate was 46.4%. Immune fecal blood test proved to benonnegative in 1,343 cases (13%), screening colonoscopy was performed in 766 of them (7.5%). Total colonoscopy was performed in711 individuals. Based on the reports, adenoma was detected in 358 (50.3%) and malignancy in 42 (5.9%) individuals. In the backgroundpopulation, the incidence of colon cancer was higher (183 vs. 228; P = 0.026) and was diagnosed at earlier stage (P = 0.002), while lymphnode involvement was lower in 2015 (48.3% vs. 37.1%; P = 0.049).Conclusion: The Csongrád county population-based colorectal cancer screening was evidently successful on the short-term consideringparticipation rate, and the changes in CRC incidence and stage, thus its national extension is necessary.