CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 32, 100-112, Copyright
© 1982 by American Cancer Society
Current Status of Fecal Occult Blood Testing in Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Sidney J. Winawer M.D.1,
Martin Fleisher Ph.D.2,
Margaret Baldwin M.P.A.3, and
Paul Sherlock M.D.4
1 Chief of the Gastroenterology Service of the Department of Medicine of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Medicine of Cornell University Medical College, in New York, New York.
2 Attending Biochemist in the Department of Biochemistry of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the Sloan-Kettering Institute Division of Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, in New York, New York.
3 Research Administrator of Preventive Medicine Institute-Strang Clinic in New York, New York.
4 Chairman of the Department of Medicine of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine of Cornell University Medical College, in New York, New York.
As yet, there are no controlled studies that demonstrate the value of the stool guaiac slide test. Several studies do show that the test can detect cancers in an early stage. Coupled with the results of other studies that indicate a reduction in mortality associated with earlier detection, the recommended approach appears reasonable. It should be kept in mind, however, that the available data are as yet inconclusive, that these recommendations should be considered only as guidelines to be tailored to the needs of individual people and programs, and that the evidence of benefits as well as potential risks and costs needs to be further ascertained before the tests are widely used.
