Interní Med. 2007; 9(5): 221-224

Screening of sporadic colorectal cancer in Czech republic

prof. MUDr. Přemysl Frič DrSc¹, doc. MUDr. Miroslav Zavoral Ph.D¹, MUDr. Bohumil Seifert², MUDr. Petr Pokorný³, MUDr. Štěpán Suchánek^3,4

¹ Interní klinika 1. LF UK a Ústřední vojenské nemocnice, subkatedra gastroenterologie IPVZ, Praha

² Ústav všeobecného lékařství, 1. LF UK, Praha

³ Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna, Praha

⁴ Interní klinika 1. LF UK a ÚVN Praha

Czech Republic occupies the top position in world statistics of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence. Approximately 8 000 new cases and 5 000 deaths are recorded yearly. These losses are unnecessary, because CRC belongs to the best treatable tumors, if disclosed at an early stage. Pilot trials of CRC screening in Czech Republic started in 1979. Two prospective open studies including more than 120 000 probands as well as a cost-benefit evaluation were performed in the years 1985-1991 and 1997-1998. Population screening of CRC was started on July 1st 2000. The two-step testing consists of a guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and colonoscopy in gFOBT-positive subjects. The eligible population includes asymptomatic subjects since 50 years of age. Screening is performed at two years interval as part of a free preventive check-up. The expenses are reimbursed to general practitioners by health insurance companies. A total of 139 926 colonoscopies were performed in 2005 at digestive endoscopy units in all 14 regions 0indings included 951 CRC and 4 682 subjects with polyps removed during 5 672 endoscopic polypectomies. These figures correspond to 16.7 %, 17.8 %, and 16.0 % of values found in the total colonoscopic series. The findings confirm the significance of the two-step screening program for early diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia in Czech population.

Keywords: colorectal cancer, population screening, Czech Republic

Published: June 21, 2007  Show citation