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Investigating iron deficiency anaemia

William Sievert, Finlay A Macrae and Barbara A Leggett, for the Gastroenterological Society of Australia
Med J Aust 2013; 198 (10): . || doi: 10.5694/mja12.11506
Published online: 3 June 2013

Persistent unexplained iron deficiency should always be investigated, but iron deficiency is common and colorectal cancer rare in young women — the risks of investigation must be balanced against the risks of serious pathology

We would like to express our sympathy to the family and to acknowledge the tragedy of the circumstances in regard to the death of their 29-year-old family member from metastatic colon cancer.


  • 1 Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC.
  • 2 Colorectal Medicine and Genetics, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
  • 3 Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.


Correspondence: william.sievert@monash.edu

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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  • 2. Morikawa T, Kato J, Yamaji Y, et al. A comparison of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test and total colonoscopy in the asymptomatic population. Gastroenterology 2005; 129: 422-428.
  • 3. Siegel RL, Jemal A, Ward EM. Increase in incidence of colorectal cancer among young men and women in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009; 18: 1695-1698.
  • 4. Davis DM, Marcer JE, Frattini JC, et al. Is it time to lower the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer? J Am Coll Surg 2011; 213: 352-362.
  • 5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australasian Association of Cancer Registries, National Cancer Strategies Group; McDermid I. Cancer incidence projections, Australia 2002 to 2011. Canberra: AIHW, AACR, NCSG, 2005. (AIHW Cat. No. CAN 25.) http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkAreaDownloadAsset. aspx?id=6442454503 (accessed May 2013).

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