Colorectal cancer screening for the natural population of Beijing with sequential fecal occult blood test: a multicenter study

To assess the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Beijing and the reliabili ty of the sequential fecal occult blood test (SFOBT) for CRC screening Methods Of the natural population (48?100 persons) in several Beijing communities, we screened 26?827 persons with age over 30 using the SFOBT screening p rogram, Guaiacum Fecal Occult Blood Test (GFOBT), Immuno Fecal Occult Blood Test (IFOBT), and colonoscopies Results The screening rate of the population was 74% The positive rate of SFOBT was 5 6% The prevalence of CRC in the entire population of Beijing was therefore c alculated to be 36 57/10 5 Of 12 CRC detected patients, 4 cases were in stage Dukes A (33 33%), 7 cases in stage Dukes B (58 33%), only 1 case (8 34% ) in stage Dukes C Conclusions The prevalence of CRC in Beijing is one of the highest in China Individuals at high risk for CRC or those over 50 years of age should be considered as primary candidates for screening SFOBT screening is a cost effective and reliable me thod for early detection of CRC