Ballina Family Medical Centre
Bowel cancer screening
Survival from bowel cancer is very stage-specific – early detection substantially improves survival.
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Lifetime risk is about 1 : 18 for men, 1 : 23 for women.
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Average Risk: people who are aged 50 or more with no symptoms and no risk factors
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Above Average Risk:
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Personal History: Inflammatory Bowel disease, previous polyps removed
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Family history:
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Slightly increased risk: one relative dx’d over 55: 2 fold increase
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Moderately increased risk: one first degree relative diagnosed at <55, or two family members on same side at any age: 6 fold increase
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High Risk: HNPCC ( Hereditary Non Polposis colorectal cancer) ( Lynch Syndrome): 50% of children, FAP : 50% of affected children.
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Foecal Occult Blood Tests ( FOBT’s):
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In screening: a +ve test gives a 30 – 45 % chance of having an adenoma
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Any positive test should be followed up with colonoscopy.
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Colonoscopy: is the most accurate procedure.
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The CEA blood test is not suitable for early diagnosis.
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Virtual Colonoscopy, – still in early stages
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There is level I evidence of a 15 – 33% reduction in mortality from bowel cancer for FOBT testing of asymptomatic patients
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Screening colonoscopies for high risk groups