Colorectal cancer screening: ensuring benefits outweigh  the risks

Kosmider, Suzanne; Field, Kathryn M; Macrae, Finlay A; Gibbs, Peter

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01995.x

Topics

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Rosenfeld and Duggan,1 who speculate on the possible psychological downsides of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with faecal occult blood testing, and possible barriers preventing women accessing screening. We are concerned that the article has multiple limitations, and would like to report prospective data on CRC screening in Australia.

1 BioGrid Australia, Melbourne, VIC.
2 Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
3 Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC.

Correspondence: Suzanne.Kosmider@mh.org.au

1. Rosenfeld EL, Duggan AE. Colorectal cancer screening: ensuring benefits outweigh the risks. Med J Aust 2008; 188: 196-197. <MJA full text>
2. Australian Cancer Network Colorectal Cancer Guidelines Revision Committee. Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer. Sydney: The Cancer Council Australia, and Australian Cancer Network, 2005: 322-344.
3. Mant D, Fitzpatrick R, Hogg A, et al. Experiences of patients with false positive results from colorectal cancer screening. Br J Gen Pract 1990; 40: 423-425.
4. The Cancer Council Victoria. Men are putting themselves at greater risk of bowel cancer [media release]. 2 Oct 2007. http://www.cancervic.org.au/media/media-releases/archived_media_releases/2007_media_releases/october_2007/men_at_big_risk_bowel_cancer.html (accessed Jul 2008).
5. Kosmider S, Jones I, Hibbert M, et al. Toward establishing a national colorectal cancer database: lessons learnt from Bio21-MMIM. ANZ J Surg 2008. In press.

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