The Screening Effectivity of Fecal Occult Blood Test

INTRODUCTION: Fecal occult blood (FOB) test is accepted as an effective screening tool for decreasing colorectal cancer mortality especially after age 50. We aimed to understand its effectiveness among younger age groups, by analyzing the results of control colonoscopy of the patients with FOB test positivity detected during check-up.
METHODS: Six thousand six hundred and sixty-five individuals administered to check-up center in Acibadem Fulya Hospital between 2010 and 2020. We retrospectively analyzed the results of those who accepted the FOB test (1432 individuals). We advised colonoscopic examination for patients with FOB test positivity (344 individuals). T understand the predictive role of FOB test, we compared the results according to age, gender, body mass index, and hemoglobin level.
RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-four FOB tests were positive out of all 1432 tests. Out of these, only 126 asymptomatic patients accepted the control colonoscopy. There were 21 adenomatous polyps detected in colonoscopic examinations. Statistically higher number of polyps was found after age 50, but two of the patients had adenomatous polyps at age of 45.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: FOB test is a crucial screening test after age of 45. In case of positive result, colonoscopy should be advised.