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. 2014 Aug;60(8):717-23, e383-90.

Guideline for referral of patients with suspected colorectal cancer by family physicians and other primary care providers

[Article in English, French]
M Elisabeth Del Giudice  1 , Emily T Vella  2 , Amanda Hey  3 , Marko Simunovic  4 , William Harris  5 , Cheryl Levitt  6
Affiliations

Guideline for referral of patients with suspected colorectal cancer by family physicians and other primary care providers

[Article in English, French]
M Elisabeth Del Giudice et al. Can Fam Physician. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this guideline is to assist FPs and other primary care providers with recognizing features that should raise their suspicions about the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in their patients.

Composition of the committee: Committee members were selected from among the regional primary care leads from the Cancer Care Ontario Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network, the members of the Ontario Colorectal Cancer Screening Advisory Committee, and the members of the Cancer Care Ontario Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group.

Methods: This guideline was developed through systematic review of the evidence base, synthesis of the evidence, and formal external review involving Canadian stakeholders to validate the relevance of recommendations.

Report: Evidence-based guidelines were developed to improve the management of patients presenting with clinical features of CRC within the Canadian context.

Conclusion: The judicious balancing of suspicion of CRC and level of risk of CRC should encourage timely referral by FPs and primary care providers. This guideline might also inform indications for referral to CRC diagnostic assessment programs.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Colorectal cancer guideline recommendations for symptomatic patients CBC—complete blood count, CRC—colorectal cancer, CT—computed tomography, DAP—diagnostic assessment program, DCBE—double-contrast barium enema, FOBT—fecal occult blood test, Hb—hemoglobin, IBD—inflammatory bowel disease, IDA—iron deficiency anemia.
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References

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    1. Cancer Care Ontario [website] Colorectal cancer. Toronto, ON: Cancer Care Ontario; 2014. Available from: www.cancercare.on.ca/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=124403. Accessed 2014 Jul 10.
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    1. Del Giudice EM, Vella ET, Hey A, Simunovic M, Harris W, Levitt C. Systematic review of clinical features of suspected colorectal cancer in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2014;60:e405–15. - PMC - PubMed

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