Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Jul 14;21(26):7944-53.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i26.7944.

Familial colorectal cancer screening: When and what to do?

Giovanna Del Vecchio Blanco  1 , Omero Alessandro Paoluzi  1 , Pierpaolo Sileri  1 , Piero Rossi  1 , Giuseppe Sica  1 , Francesco Pallone  1
Affiliations
Review

Familial colorectal cancer screening: When and what to do?

Giovanna Del Vecchio Blanco et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of death worldwide and represents a clinical challenge. Family members of patients affected by CRC have an increased risk of CRC development. In these individuals, screening is strongly recommended and should be started earlier than in the population with average risk, in order to detect neoplastic precursors, such as adenoma, advanced adenoma, and nonpolypoid adenomatous lesions of the colon. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a non invasive, widespread screening method that can reduce CRC-related mortality. Sigmoidoscopy, alone or in addition to FOBT, represents another screening strategy that reduces CRC mortality. Colonoscopy is the best choice for screening high-risk populations, as it allows simultaneous detection and removal of preneoplastic lesions. The choice of test depends on local health policy and varies among countries.

Keywords: Advanced adenoma; Colonoscopy; Colorectal cancer screening; Fecal occult blood test; First-degree relative; Sigmoidoscopy.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Clegg L, Horner MJ, Howlader N, Eisner MP, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2004, National Cancer Institute. Available from: http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2004/
    1. Engholm G, Ferlay J, Christensen N, Bray F, Gjerstorff ML, Klint A, Køtlum JE, Olafsdóttir E, Pukkala E, Storm HH. NORDCAN--a Nordic tool for cancer information, planning, quality control and research. Acta Oncol. 2010;49:725–736. - PubMed
    1. Steliarova-Foucher E, O’Callaghan M, Ferlay J, Masuyer E, Rosso S, Forman D, Bray F, Comber H. The European Cancer Observatory: A new data resource. Eur J Cancer. 2015;51:1131–1143. - PubMed
    1. Curado MP, Edwards B, Shin HR, Storm H, Ferlay J, Heanue M, Boyle P, editors . Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, Vol. IX. IARC Scientific Publications No. 160. Lyon: IARC; 2007. Available from: http://www-dep.iarc.fr/
    1. United Nations, World Population Prospects, the 2006 revision. Available from: http://www-dep.iarc.fr/

Substances