It is not clear which screening strategy makes the most sense in terms of costs and associated benefits. To compare the cost-effectiveness of screening patients for colorectal cancer by using FOBT every year, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years, beginning at 50 years of age. They assumed that patients had no special risks for colon cancer, such as a positive family history. The researchers used information from actual patients to estimate what might happen when patients were screened by using the three strategies and how much each strategy would cost for each year of life it saves. They used these estimates in their computer model.
Colonoscopy also results in more years of life saved.
This study was a computer simulation, so we cannot be sure what the results would be in actual patients. Colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at 50 years of age is a more effective, and more cost-effective, way to screen for colorectal cancer than FOBT every year or sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. Annals Summaries for Patients are presented for informational purposes only. These summaries are not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician.