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CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 22, 360-363, Copyright © 1972 by American Cancer Society

Detection of Colorectal Cancer Using Guaiac Slides

¹ Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, and Attending Physician, Mt. Carmel Hospital and University Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

(1) From our limited data it would appear that any colorectal cancer detected in its silent stage is probably localized and offers an excellent prognosis: once symptoms appear, the prognosis is considerably worse.

(2) Of the 139 cases of cancer detected, four were guaiac negative and only one of these four negatives occurred in a patient who had followed the prescribed diet. Therefore, our experience to date indicates that almost all colorectal cancers bleed, even in early, localized stages, and that a screening test based on this capability to bleed is worthy of continued investigation.

(3) Occult blood can be detected with guaiac-impregnated slides provided the test is used on bowel movements over at least a three-day period and provided the subject uses a bulk diet to encourage bleeding.

(4) If guaiac screening plus digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy were included in all annual physical examinations, many more cases of colorectal cancer could be detected in a stage amenable to cure.