Colorectal cancer prevalence in faecal immunochemical test non-returners: potential for health inequality in symptomatic referral pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study aimed to describe the faecal immunochemical test non-return rate of those referred with high-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer from primary care, and the clinical outcomes of the 'non-returners'.

Methods

From January 2019 to July 2021, patients referred to secondary care with symptoms suspicious of colorectal cancer and a referral priority of urgent or urgent suspicion of cancer were sent a faecal immunochemical test. All patients were investigated regardless of faecal immunochemical test return or result. Demographics and clinical outcomes such as colorectal cancer prevalence were compared between those who returned a faecal immunochemical test and non-returners.

Results

Of 7345 patients included in the study, 874 (11.9%) did not return a faeca

SUBMITTER: Gerrard AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11474236 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature