Population screening for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the Netherlands, resulting in approximately 4400 deaths in 1998. Three randomised trials have shown that screening by faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) every two years has the potential to reduce mortality by up to 21%. Acccording to a meta-analysis, the number needed to screen in order to prevent one death from CRC over 10 years is 1200 (700 to 2800). The real number is probably lower.