Some international experiences from screening for colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important public health problem, especially in Europe. Every year approximately 435,000 new cases are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Half of these people die, which makes this type of cancer a second-rated mortality cause in Europe. The main aim of this paper was to make a literature search related to colorectal cancer with a focus on the developed Western European countries and countries close to the Republic of North Macedonia. This paper also intended to provide a picture of the early screening for colorectal cancer as the most efficient method for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer and its application in some developed countries. For achieving the objectives set out in this paper, a survey of the available literature (both electronic and print) as well as of the grey literature was made. A systematic search of the following databases was made: PubMed, European Commission, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were studies conducted between 2008 and 2020, with an emphasis on the newest studies and those published in the neighboring countries. According to the WHO recommendations and practices in modern countries, colorectal cancer should be identified as a serious public health problem. This includes unclear cause of its occurrence, as well as all possible risk factors which make it almost possible to implement an adequate prevention program. The most acceptable sensitive test for implementation of the screening program for colorectal cancer is the utilization of the FOB test. It is of great importance to follow-up patients with a positive FOB test as well as to offer easy access to health services, i.e., screening program to the population.