Population-based colorectal cancer screening: Interval cancers and relationship with the quantitative faecal immunological for hemoglobin

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The sensitivity of colorectal cancer screening programmes determines their effectiveness and is directly related to the interval cancer (IC). This study describes the frequency and characteristics of the IC of the Programme of Barcelona, Spain, and analyses its relationship with the quantitative value of the screening test (FIT).

Material and methods: ICs after negative FIT of the first two rounds of the Programme (2010-2013) were included, observation period until July 2017. The information source of the ICs was their notification by professionals and patients, hospital databases and CMBD (Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set).

Results: The sensitivity of the Programme is 82%. ICs are diagnosed more in proximal and rectal colon and in advanced stages than screening cancers, and have higher FIT values than overall people with negative FIT.

Conclusions: The sensitivity is acceptable and comparable to that of other programmes. The quantitative value of FIT in people with negative test should be included in the personalisation strategies of screening to reduce the risk of IC.

Keywords: Colorectal neoplasms; Cribado; Cáncer colorrectal; Cáncer de intervalo; Interval cancer; Screening.