Triage may improve selection to colonoscopy and reduce the number of unnecessary colonoscopies

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Implementation of population screening for colorectal cancer by direct colonoscopy or follow-up colonoscopy after a positive fecal blood test has challenged the overall capacity of bowel examinations. Certain countries are facing serious colonoscopy capacity constraints, which have led to waiting lists and long time latency of follow-up examinations. Various options for improvement are considered, including increased cut-off values of the fecal blood tests. Results from major clinical studies of blood-based, cancer-associated biomarkers have, however, led to focus on a Triage concept for improved selection to colonoscopy. The Triage test may include subject age, concentration of hemoglobin in a feces test and a combination of certain blood-based cancer-associated biomarkers. Recent results have indicated that Triage may reduce the requirements for colonoscopy by around 30%. Such results may be advantageous for the capacity, the healthcare budgets and in particular, the subjects, who do not need an unnecessary, unpleasant and risk-associated bowel examination.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2610
JournalCancers
Volume12
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
ISSN2072-6694
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Biomarkers, Colonoscopy, Colorectal cancer, Early detection, Feces testing, Screening, Triage

ID: 250486540