Key clinical point: Fecal-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) was associated with a significant reduction in CRC mortality.
Major finding: Overall, 624 participants were diagnosed with CRC, of which 42.5% were detected by fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening (screen-detected), 16.5% presented after a negative FOBT and before the next invitation (interval cancers), and 41.0% were among individuals who declined screening ( nonuptake cancers). Mortality rate was 74% higher in interval CRC vsvs screen-detected CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.74%; P = .02).
Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort of invitees aged 50–69 years who participated in a CRC screening program with a target population of 85,000 people from 2000-2015 with mortality follow-up until 2020.
Disclosures: This study received no specific funding. The authors declared no competing interest.
Source: Ibáñez-Sanz G et al. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 30. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253369.