Efficacy of the population-based pilot colorectal screening program Hungary, Csongrad county, 2015

Introduction: In Hungary, a nationwide colorectal screening program is about to be introduced in order to improve the extremely high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC). Aim: The aim of our study was to summarize experiences and assess short-term efficacy of the population-based pilot colorectal screening program in 2015 in Csongrad County, Hungary. Patients and method: Asymptomatic individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 with average risk of colorectal cancer participated in the program that was based on the two-step screening method (i. e. immune fecal blood test and colonoscopy). The short-term efficacy of the screening program was assessed as the change in total CRC incidence and initial tumor stage in the screening year (2015) compared to a control year (2013) in Szeged and its surroundings. Participation rate, positive predictive value of the screening methods and tumor detection rate was assessed. Results: 22,130 individuals were invited, the participation rate was 46.4%. Immune fecal blood test proved to be non-negative in 1,343 cases (13%), screening colonoscopy was performed in 766 of them (7.5%). Total colonoscopy was performed in 711 individuals. Based on the reports, adenoma was detected in 358 (50.3%) and malignancy in 42 (5.9%) individuals. In the background population, the incidence of colon cancer was significantly higher (183 vs. 228; p = 0.026) and was diagnosed at significantly earlier stage (p = 0.002). Lymph node involvement was significantly lower in 2015 (48.3% vs. 37.1%; p = 0.049). Conclusion: The Csongrad county population-based colorectal cancer screening was evidently successful on the short term considering participation rate, and the changes in CRC incidence and stage, thus its national extension is necessary.