Key clinical point: The presence of some bowel symptoms increased the likelihood of being detected with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, 6 out of 10 participants diagnosed with CRC were asymptomatic. Rectal bleeding and change in bowel habits were associated with the detection of CRC.
Major finding: Almost 20.3% of participants screened with sigmoidoscopy had at least 1 symptom. However, almost 60% of individuals diagnosed with CRC were asymptomatic. Rectal bleeding (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-6.1) and change in bowel habits (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.4-6.1) were associated with the detection of CRC.
Study details: This was a cross-sectional study of 42,554 participants in the age group of 50-74 years who were invited to a randomized CRC screening trial for screening by either once-only sigmoidoscopy (n=36,059) or fecal immunochemical test (n=6,495).
Disclosures: The study was supported by grants from Norwegian Parliament. KR Randel declared receiving a research grant from the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Schult AL et al. BMJ Open. 2021 Jul 1. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048183 .