In 1985-1989 in the Bruntál district by means of the test for occult haemorrhage (Haemoccult, Röhm Pharma Co.) a total of 1084 subjects aged 65-86 years were examined. The test was positive in 74 subjects (6.83%). A subsequent coloscopic examination was made in 60 subjects, 81% of those with a positive test. Coloscopic examination revealed 8 patients with carcinoma of the large intestine and 45 patients with an adenomatous polyp. The oncological positivity is thus 4.89% of the tested subjects and 88.33% of those subjected to coloscopy. The carcinoma was evaluated in two cases in the stage Dukes A, in four instances in stage Dukes B, in one case in stage Dukes C and in one case in stage Dukes D. In two patients with carcinoma another adenomatous polyp was found in the large intestine. In 14 patients of 45 with an adenomatous polyp another synchronous adenomatous polyp was detected (31.1%). 43 patients were treated by coloscopic polypectomy. Contemporary possibilities of early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma in conjunction with effective therapeutic endoscopy are perspective in particular in patients of advanced age.