A pilot study of participation in faecal occult blood testing and screening colonoscopy after health education in Hong Kong

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the second commonest cancer in Hong Kong. The screening behaviour of the Chinese population has not been assessed. The aim of this study is to report a pilot study of educating and subsequent evaluation of colorectal cancer screening behaviour in the Hong Kong Chinese population. Subjects were invited to attend a free health talk on colorectal cancer. Both self-paid faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and free screening colonoscopy were offered after the education programme. Of the participants taking part in the education programme 113/119 (95%) completed the FOBT. Of the FOBT 8/113 (7%) showed positive result and three patients had neoplasia at colonoscopy. Twenty-five patients with negative FOBT also completed colonoscopy; two had adenomas. Screening colonoscopy after FOBT was accepted by 28% of subjects. Those younger than 65 years and those with a positive FOBT (7/8 versus 25/105 for those with negative FOBT, P=0.0003) were more likely to agree to screening colonoscopy. In conclusion, health education is important for ensuring high acceptance and implementation of colorectal cancer screening in Hong Kong Chinese. FOBT is an acceptable and feasible screening method in Hong Kong.