Embargoed by journal until 3 p.m. CST Tuesday, March 2
Contacts: Jack Mandel, Ph.D., (612) 626-4810 through Saturday, Feb. 27
John Bond, M.D., (612) 725-2000x4100
Teri Charest, Academic Health Center Communications, (612) 624-4604 [email protected]
U of Minnesota study confirms importance of biennial colorectal cancer screening
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL--Researchers at the University of Minnesota have completed an 18-year study that extends their findings that screening for blood in the stool can drastically reduce mortality from colorectal cancer. The results will be published March 3 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Led by Jack Mandel, professor of public health, the team found that annual screening with a simple and inexpensive fecal occult blood test can lead to a 33 percent reduction in mortality, and that biennial screening (every two years) results in a 21 percent drop in mortality. That, they say, combined with findings from two European studies, underscores the importance of insurance coverage for these tests.
ìA fecal occult blood test is a simple, effective screen that will greatly reduce mortality in the United States, once it is actively promoted by primary care physicians to all patients over 50 years of age,î Mandel said. Mandel is also a member of the university's Cancer Center.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. Men and women are equally susceptible to the disease. The researchers estimate that 56,000 Americans will die from it each year. Colorectal cancer is very curable if detected early. Screening can detect precancerous lesions and cancers that show no symptoms. Between 85 and 95 percent of these early cases can be cured.
ìAmericans are at high risk of developing colon cancer because of a high fat diet that contains insufficient fruit and vegetables," said John Bond, professor of medicine and co-investigator in the study. "The epidemic of obesity also contributes to colon cancer risk." Bond is a gastroenterologist at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Minneapolis.
This study is a five-year extension of a study reported by the university in 1993, which was the first to show that annual screening and follow up reduces mortality from colorectal cancer by 33 percent. The later study is consistent with two large randomized trials in Europe, in which biennial screening was also shown effective but reduced mortality by only 15 to 18 percent. The Minnesota study also shows a decreased incidence of the most severe colon cancers--Dukes stage D cancers.
The Minnesota and European trials represent more than 250,000 people. The researchers said the trials provide compelling evidence for screening to prevent colorectal cancer mortality. Medicare began paying for the screenings in January 1998.
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