The aims of this report were to make recommendations on the effectiveness of specific screening techniques for colorectal cancer in asymptomatic patients.
Effectiveness in normal risk patients was reviewed for: 1) multiphase screening with the Hemoccult test as first phase; 2) multiphase screening with sigmoidoscopy; 3) uniphase screening with colonoscopy.
For above average risk patients, the specific screening maneuvers reviewed were: 1) flexible sigmoidoscopy and genetic testing for those with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); 2) colonoscopy for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC); 3) colonoscopy for patients with family history (1st degree relative(s)) of polyps/colorectal cancer.