[Preliminary report about the screening program for colorectal cancer by sequential fecal occult blood in Wuhan area for 4 years].

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the sequential fecal occult blood test (SFOBT) program for the screening of colorectal cancer and elucidate the prevalence of colorectal cancer in Wuhan area. METHODS:At 19 screening sites, 63,961 residents were recruited as target population according to random cluster and stratified sampling for four years (between 2005 and 2008). Residents aged over 40 years old received SFOBT. Those with positive SFOBT underwent colonoscopy. RESULTS:The target population was 63,961. There were 25,837 people whose age was over 40. Finally, 7784 participants received the SFOBT screening, with a medium age of 56 years old. The positive rate of SFOBT was 12.3% (956 persons). Of the 956 persons, 240 participants underwent colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer was found in 14 cases (6.5%), gastric cancer in 2 cases (0.9%), colorectal adenoma in 53 cases(24.8%), colorectal inflammation in 80 cases (37.3%) and hemorrhoids in 65 cases (30.4%). CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of colorectal cancer is relatively high in Wuhan area. The SFOBT is available and feasible in screening early changes of colorectal cancer.