Screening for colorectal cancer

Abstract

SUMMARY
Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest fatal malignancies
in the Western World. Recent evidence suggests that
the disease is preventable. This review examines the relative
strengths of the different strategies proposed for population-
based colorectal cancer screening programmes. Full
colonoscopic examination of the large bowel, particularly
in subjects with a family history of colorectal carcinoma or
adenoma, may be a cost-effective method of screening.