Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Average and High Risk Population

Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Average and High Risk Iraqi Population: A Pilot Study

The existing evidence from epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials has consistently assures the cost effectiveness and the influential role of screening in reducing incidence rates and deaths caused by Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Population based organized screening programmes, which should be considered an obligation that is not to be postponed, require valuable information that can be reliably extrapolated from well-designed pilot study conducted prior to programme implementation.

The main objectives of the current pilot CRC screening project, named after "Al-Kindy College of Medicine", was to evaluate and explore the specific aspects of the intended population-based organized CRC screening programme, including: barriers affecting adherence to the programme, performance indicators of the proposed screening programme, the target population in which CRC screening is a legitimate healthcare priority, quality assurance of screening tests and colonoscopy services, and to propose an algorithm that will provide a clinically and logistically acceptable positivity rate.

Screening Type and Setting :

"Al-Kindy College Colorectal Cancer Screening Project", is proposed as an FIT-based colorectal cancer screening, with colonoscopy being used as the second stage investigation in those with a positive FIT result. This screening project was set as a 24 months pilot study, to be started in April 2015 and extended to May 2017. All the investigations and evaluation measures involved were performed in the scientific research laboratory and endoscopy unit of Al Kindy polyclinic at Al Kindy College of Medicine, University of Baghdad. Baghdad, Iraq.

Study Protocol:

Target Individuals and Eligibility:

The target individuals of the present study are residents of Baghdad city being ≥45 years of age with stop age of 80 years. target individual with fulfill devoid of exclusion criteria is identified as eligible.

Invitation of Eligible Individuals:

Due to the lack of a population register, invitation for the proposed screening programme was based on two approaches, namely, household open invitation (HOI), and recommendation by physician (RBP).

1. Household-Open Invitation (HOI): A survey sheet, which all together serves as an invitation letter, was assembled competently. The first part of the sheet, in Arabic language, included introductory information about CRC incidence and risk factors, CRC screening benefits and meaning of test results, along a briefly description for the potential diagnostic tests and treatment options. The second part aimed to document information about the invited families, including demographic data, the number of target individuals and their eligibility, as well as the prevalence of CRC risk factors including: body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol intake, type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and family history of CRC. Total of 1000 survey sheets were delivered by 10 teams, each team consist of 10 well-trained 4th stage students of Al Kindy College of Medicine, as part of their epidemiology training course. The dissemination was planned, in an order of 100 families per week, with as possible equity to ensure the coverage of all municipalities of Baghdad city. Students were requested to return the day next to delivery, to check for the eligibility of target individuals and participation consent.
2. Recommendation By Physician (RBP): A random survey of 1000 outpatients, attending Endocrine Disease Treatment Center, Baghdad, Iraq, was arranged with the aim of encouraging patients who fulfil the criteria for eligibility to participate in the screening programme. Referral forma including participation consent was issued, as an act on acceptance, and the issued referral forma were documented to measure patients' compliance.

Enrollment of Participants in the Proposed Screening Programme:

Screenees' basic information and progressive examination outcomes were documented through a comprehensive "Audit and Tracking Sheet", divided into the following four major disciplines:

1. Characteristics and Risk Stratification:

   To evaluate the impact of risk stratification on screenee's behavior and on the effectiveness of the screening project, participants were divided into three risk groups based on survey and medical record data: high-risk (history of polyps, and/or personal/family history of CRC, increased-risk (diabetes, obesity, and/or former or current smoking status), and average-risk (45 or older with no other risk factor).

2. FIT and Colonoscopy Tracking Screening Schedule:

   After checking for sampling appropriateness, the received samples were analyzed by the FOB Gold/SENTiFOB method (Sentinel Diagnostics SpA, Milan, Italy), according to the previously validated procedural platform.

   In case of first FIT incompletion, the cause is identified and the screenees were encouraged for re-enrollment. Timely referral to colonoscopy was based on FIT level ≥75ng/ml in any of the two collected samples. Negative FIT-tested individuals with high risk stratification were also encouraged to be enrolled. On approval, after a brief elucidation for the pros and cons, screenees were scheduled for conventional colonoscopy.

   Considering the reported improved patient tolerance of sodium picosulphate preparations (PICOPREP, Ferring Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhongshan, China), this cleansing agent was preferentially prescribed.Detailed oral and written instructions on how to perform the bowel cleansing regimen was provided, with an excellent opportunity to answer any questions the screenee may have, to ensure that the process was appropriately understood.

   With the colonoscopists completely blinded regarding the FIT results, conventional colonoscopy examinations were conducted in the Endoscopy Unit of Al-Kindy Polyclinic. For non-compliance, the cause of cancelled appointment was identified, and screenees were reinvigorated for a rescheduled appointment. For attendants, on the other hands, the final examination report must verify the completeness of colonoscopy; otherwise, the report should point to the cause of incompleteness. The report should also document the number, size, type and anatomical location of any screen-detected lesions.

3. Histological Report of Lesion Biopsies and Resections:

   Histopathological examinations of screen-detected lesions were performed by skilled pathologists in gastrointestinal disease with specific emphasis on colorectal cancer, along a good expertise in the preparation and interpretation of biopsies and endoscopic polypectomy specimens.

   Classification of adenomas included grading of neoplasia was accomplished according to the revised Vienna classification that has been modified for the European Guidelines to obtain a two- tiered system of low-grade and high-grade neoplasia.. Furthermore, and whenever applicable, the correlation between histological diagnosis of biopsy and resection specimens were included in the final examination reports.

   If more than one lesion is found, lesion with the worst prognosis is indicated as the final colonoscopic outcome and will be used for evaluation purposes. Based on the number and characteristics of adenomas detected at baseline colonoscopy, screenees were stratified into low, intermediate, and high risk polyp for the development of colorectal cancer. Screenees with intermediate and high risk were referred to a follow-up surveillance programme. Positive FIT results in participants who were identified with no adenomas, advance adenomas, or adenocarcinomas on subsequent colonoscopies are considered False-positive fecal immunochemical tests (FP-FIT) results.

4. Quality Assurance of Screening Programme:To ensure a potential benefit of colorectal cancer screening, quality assurance of the programme was assessed at every step in the process, including the FIT sampling regimen, precolonoscopy cleansing regimen, bowel preparation quality using the Ottawa bowel preparation scale (OBPS), as well as colonoscopy quality with special emphasis on colonic mucosa inspection and the safety and tolerance of colonoscopy.

Data Processing and Statistical Analysis:

All Data analysis was processed by the statistical package SPSS version 21.0 (SPSS, Inc.). Descriptive and categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, and Fischer's exact test was performed to inspect any association between these variables. Indicators of screening performance for FIT (including participation rate, and positivity rate) and colonoscopy (including compliance rate, completion rate, lesions detection rate, adenoma detection rate, advanced adenoma detection rate, and cancer detection rate), in addition to the positive predictive value (PPV) for detection of lesions, adenoma, advanced adenoma, and cancer, were all calculated according to the European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• residents of Baghdad city
• being ≥45 years of age with stop age of 80 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• colonoscopy (CS)/flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS)/ double contrast barium enema (DCBE) performed within the last year.
• persistent altered bowel habits.
• chronic abdominal pain.
• visible bleeding per rectum.
• long term use of anticoagulant.