Colorectal Cancer Screening in Great Britain

Abstract

Although cancer is the leading cause of death in Great Britain and colorectal cancers are the second leading cause of cancer deaths, at present no national screening program exists for colorectal cancer. Implementation of screening has been deferred pending completion of two large long-term clinical trials that are underway to determine which screening method is better: one-time-only flexible sigmoidoscopy or a fecal occult blood test, with appropriate follow-up for people who test positive. However, the delay in implementing screening for colorectal cancer may be the result in large part of limited resources in the National Health Service.

Key Words:

• Colorectal cancer
• mass screening
• Great Britain
• health policy
• health inequalities