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The early detection of colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Miller Sidney F.,
Knight A. Ruth
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197708)40:2<945::aid-cncr2820400253>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , disease , stage (stratigraphy) , radiation therapy , cancer , metastasis , survival rate , surgery , oncology , intensive care medicine , general surgery , paleontology , biology
A review of the American Cancer Society's statistics for colorectal cancer indicates that there has been little improvement in the survival rate for this disease in the past 25 years. Although there have been advances in surgical techniques, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, the key to improved survival rates is earlier diagnosis. A significant percentage of patients continues to present with regional or distal metastasis at the time of their initial diagnosis. Both procosigmiodoscopy and guaiac impregnated filter slide paper methods have been productive in diagnosing this disease at an earlier stage. The “Hemoccult” test, however, is inexpensive, can be used on a routine basis, is easier for patients to perform themselves, and is aesthetically pleasing. It represents a significant cost savings compared to proctosigmiodoscopy and should be advocated for routine use in all patients over 40 years of age. Although there continues to be a role for local and regional mass screening programs, significant imporvements in colorectal survival rates cannot be expected until routine application of this type of screening is practiced. Cancer 40:945–949, 1977.