The yield of fecal occult blood testing as a screening tool for colon cancer in a primary care setting

Alkhenizan, AbdullahH; Almoneef, NaifM; Mahmoud, AhmedS; Alsoghayer, SuadA; Aldheshe, AbdulazizA

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_16_22

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…A Saudi Arabian study has claimed this potential, recognizing FOBT as a feasible screening method in the primary care environment. They based their proposition on the age-specific incidence rate (ASIR) of FOBT testing, which was found to be higher than the Saudi Cancer Registry figure, implying a high detection capability [ 10 ]. One study comparing FOBT with colonoscopy observed that FOBT sensitivity varied in different areas of malignancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Fecal Occult Blood Test and Colonoscopy With Histopathology Findings in Saudi Adults

Alhuzaim,

Alloqmany,

Almedemgh

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Background/aims Colorectal cancer cases are on the rise in developing countries, necessitating dependable detection tests. Moreover, medical procedures have become increasingly burdensome for both patients and healthcare professionals. This study aims to delve deeper into the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a potential solution. Settings and design The research took place at the Gastroenterology Specialized Clinic (Human Clinic) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study gathered results from colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy, histopathology, and FOBT screening. Essential variables linked to colorectal cancer, including gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic diseases, hemoglobin (Hgb), body mass index (BMI), and medication usage, were documented to evaluate their potential predictive significance for positive outcomes. Methods and materials In line with the study aims, inclusion criteria covered Saudi adults aged 18 and above, experiencing lower GI symptoms, with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, FOBT, and histopathological results. The resultant sample size was 72 patients. Non-Saudi individuals, symptoms-free patients, and those below 18 years were excluded. This retrospective analysis spanned from September 2021 to September 2022. For statistical analysis, after the data rationality was checked, parametric or non-parametric tests were used. P ≤ 0.05 was set as the significant level. Results Among the 72 patients, ranging in age from 18 to 80 (mean 42.94), males (57) outnumbered females (15). The average BMI was 27.56, with one-third of patients classified as overweight or obese. A majority of 47 (65.2%) exhibited normal Hgb levels while only five (7%) had abnormal levels. Results from colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy and FOBT displayed statistical similarity between positive and negative outcomes. Additionally, the notable prevalence of positive results compared to negative ones underscores the resemblance between FOBT and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy findings. Conclusion Chronic illness, constitutional symptoms, BMI, and Hgb did not display a significant predictive value, However, the group with GI symptoms exhibited a strong prediction for favorable colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy and histology outcomes. Additional research is necessary to validate these observed patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Fecal Occult Blood Test and Colonoscopy With Histopathology Findings in Saudi Adults

Alhuzaim,

Alloqmany,

Almedemgh

et al. 2023

Cureus

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“…Most of the available studies were retrospective studies of existing screening test results. The 2022 paper published by Almoneef et al (2022) aimed to test FOBT as a tool for CRC screening [ 10 ]. The study used the medical records of 2,179 patients who visited the Family Medicine Clinic at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh and underwent FOBT.…”

Section: Recent Screening Projects In Saudi Arabiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening, awareness and challenges for colorectal cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia: an update

Hassan Alqarni,

Alamri,

Pushparaj

et al. 2024

Bioinformation

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in the world. In Saudi Arabia, CRC is the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females, and its incidence rate is rising as the country continues to develop. However, the country does not have a national CRC screening program for CRC. This review aims to review recent studies that have attempted to address and rectify this issue and discern the most notable and prevalent barriers. Despite these efforts, guidelines are still lacking. Two prospective studies have been conducted in recent years, one of which was a national pilot screening program conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH). While both had a similar number of participants, the colonoscopy rate for patients with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the MOH program was only 20% compared to 75.8% in the Al-Kharj program. Awareness of the Saudi population regarding CRC and its screening appears to be insufficient. The most common barriers to patients' willingness to undergo screening were embarrassment, fear, and pain. Barriers to physicians are mostly related to factors outside their hands, such as lack of equipment and time. We conclude that efforts should be made to establish a national screening program and improve awareness of the population and physicians.

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“…19.7% of the patients who had the FOBT screening received positive results, while CRC accounted for 3.5% of all abnormal pathology reports. The adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction for Saudi Arabia was 26.56 per 100,000 [ 30 ]. A meta-analysis of six trials conducted over a 15-year period revealed that screening with FOBT reduced CRC-related mortality but did not lower the incidence of CRC [ 31 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colon Cancer Screening Methods: 2023 Update

Jayasinghe¹,

Prathiraja²,

Caldera³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National screening guidelines have been implemented to identify and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Routine CRC screening is advised for people with average risk starting at age 45 because it is a common and preventable malignancy. Various screening modalities are currently in use, ranging from stool-based tests (fecal occult blood test (FOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and FIT-DNA test), radiologic tests (computed tomographic colonography (CTC), double contrast barium enema), and visual endoscopic examinations (flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS), colonoscopy, and colon capsule endoscopy (CCE)) with their varying sensitivity and specificity. Biomarkers also play a vital role in assessing the recurrence of CRC. This review offers a summary of the current screening options, including biomarkers available to detect CRC, highlighting the benefits and challenges encompassing each screening modality.

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The yield of fecal occult blood testing as a screening tool for colon cancer in a primary care setting

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

Positive Fecal Occult Blood Test and Colonoscopy With Histopathology Findings in Saudi Adults

Positive Fecal Occult Blood Test and Colonoscopy With Histopathology Findings in Saudi Adults

Screening, awareness and challenges for colorectal cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia: an update

Colon Cancer Screening Methods: 2023 Update

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