To the Editor: In November 1999, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer.1 One chapter addressed screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), citing Level 1 evidence in support of faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) as the preferred modality for population-based CRC screening. Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy were not recommended. In a postal survey conducted in 1998, before release of these guidelines, we found mixed views among Australian surgeons about CRC screening.2
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- 1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer. Canberra: AGPS, 1999.
- 2. Gattellari M, Ward JE, Solomon MJ. Are Australian surgeons convinced about colorectal cancer screening? [letter] Med J Aust 2000; 173: 333.
- 3. Thomas RJS, Spigelman AD, Armstrong BK. Large bowel cancer: guidelines and beyond [editorial]. Med J Aust 1999; 171: 284-285.
- 4. Young JM, Bruce T, Ward JE. Is support among patients for colorectal cancer screening susceptible to "framing effect"? A GP-based study. Health Promot J Aust 2002. In press.