A 5-year evaluation of using stool-based test for opportunistic colorectal cancer screening in primary health institutions across Malaysia

Tamin NSI 1 , Razalli KA 2 , Sallahuddin SN 3 , Chan HK 4 , Hassan MRA 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Cancer Unit, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: norsaleha@gmail.com
  • 2 Cancer Unit, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: khursiah@moh.gov.my
  • 3 Cancer Unit, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: ppctnor@moh.gov.my
  • 4 Clinical Research Center, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Electronic address: huankeat123@yahoo.com
  • 5 Department of Medicine, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Electronic address: drradzi91@yahoo.co.uk
Cancer Epidemiol, 2020 12;69:101829.
PMID: 32998070 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2020.101829

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) has been widely used for opportunistic colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk individuals seeking care from public health clinics in Malaysia. This study provides a 5-year outcome evaluation of such a practice.

METHODS: The findings for a few outcome indicators, ranging from the iFOBT uptake to the CRC and polyp detection rates, were generated from the data contributed by 583 public health clinics between 2014 and 2018. The trends in their changes were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The iFOBT uptake constantly increased over the years (p < 0.001), totaling 2.29 % (n = 127,957) as at 2018. Nearly 10 % (n = 11,872) of the individuals screened had a positive test result. Of those who underwent colonoscopy (n = 6,491), 4.04 % (n = 262) and 13.93 % (n = 904) were found to have CRC and polyps, respectively.

CONCLUSION: An uptrend in the CRC screening uptake was witnessed following the introduction of the iFOBT in public health clinics.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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