Bowel Cancer Screening
Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit (DoH)
Section: Section of Epidemiology
Screening for bowel cancer by faecal occult blood (FOB) testing has been demonstrated by randomised controlled trials to reduce mortality from the disease. Trials of screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy are still in progress. Pilot studies of population screening by FOB tests have been conducted in England and Scotland, and a national screening programme is to be introduced from April 2006.
Our current work involves:
- Long-term follow-up of the Nottingham randomised trial of FOB testing
- Evaluation of the second round of the English pilot of FOB testing
A Trial of Screening for Colorectal Cancer
SM Moss, DA Coleman, M Waller; in collaboration with J Scholefield, Department of Surgery, University of Nottingham
The Unit is collaborating in the follow-up of a trial of screening for colorectal cancer by two-yearly faecal occult blood testing. The first mortality analysis showed a 15% reduction in mortality from colorectal cancer in the group offered screening. Further analyses of the sensitivity of the screening test and of survival differences have been undertaken. An updated mortality analysis has been conducted, and longer-term follow-up is in progress in order to assess what impact the detection of adenomas may have on future cancer incidence.
External Funding: Department of Health, Medical Research Council
Evaluation of second round of English pilot of bowel cancer screening
SM Moss, J Melia, D. Coleman, P. Butler, in collaboration with D. Weller, University of Edinburgh
The Unit is collaborating in the evaluation of the second round of a pilot of screening for bowel cancer using faecal occult blood tests, which is studying the key outcomes of screening, and analysing of the workforce and health service impact of the screening programme.
External Funding: Department of Health
In the Section of Epidemiology
