National colorectal cancer early detection program and colorectal cancer early detection model integrated in the practice of family medicine: our comparison

Abstract

To present the response rate results of the Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program that is part of the project Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Model Integrated in the Practice of Family Medicine, carried out by the Department of Family Medicine of the Osijek University School of Medicine and the Osijek Health Center in the Osijek-Baranja County. Those response rate results were compared with those obtained by the National Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program. The Project’s strategy is based on the central role of family physicians in implementing early cancer detection programs. The Project started in the year 2007, and by the end of 2009, a total of 1850 cards on an occult fecal blood test (FOBT) were delivered to subjects from two target groups (aged 45-49 and 75-79), i.e., to age groups not covered by the National Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program. A relatively high response rate of 1083 tested subjects (58.5%) was recorded for both target groups, which is an advantage in comparison with the relatively low response rate of 19.9% obtained by the end of 2010 by the Croatian National Program. The Project revealed positive FOBT results in 54 subjects (4.9%). Of these subjects, 28 underwent colonoscopies, and two had colon cancer detected. The results indicate that family physicians should actively participate in the National Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• early detection program
• strategies
• national program