Significance of fecal occult blood test in colorectal cancer screening

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system. The incidence of colorectal cancer in China is increasing year by year. Screening for adenomas, precancerous lesions and early cancers can effectively reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. Therefore, colorectal cancer screening is particularly important. At present, the colorectal cancer examination is mainly divided into fecal examination and colon structural examination. The fecal examination includes fecal occult blood test, fecal exfoliated cell test and fecal genetic analysis. The colon structural examination includes barium enema, colonoscopy and computed tomography colonography. Colonoscopy is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It has the advantage of high accuracy, and can be used to find precancerous lesions and remove them at the same time. However, the screening should be greatly restricted because of its invasive examination, the need for intestinal preparation, obvious discomfort and the high cost of medical treatment. Comparatively, fecal occult blood test is simple, easy, non-invasive, saving manpower and material resources, and is suitable for large population screening. Some scholars in China have begun to pay attention to colorectal cancer screening, and fecal occult blood test is widely used in these screenings. Key words: Intestinal neoplasms; Screening; Fecal occult blood test