Abstract
Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are among the most commonly used tests for colorectal
cancer (CRC) screening programs worldwide. However, no randomised controlled trials
have been carried out evaluating the impact of FIT-based screening programs (FIT-progr)
on CRC incidence and mortality rates. Italian FIT-progr represent one of the most
widespread and established experience worldwide. This paper reviews the evidence on
the impact of FIT-progr on CRC incidence, tumor stage at diagnosis, mortality and
surgery rates, deriving from Italian routine programs, i.e., outside the research
setting. Unfortunately, the application of FIT-progr in Italy can be considered as
an unplanned experimental model, due to the differences between Regions, both in health
system management and adherence of the target population to the screening programs.
The analysis of the manuscripts considered in the review, confirms that FIT-progr
are effective in reducing CRC incidence and mortality rates and in improving the rate
of endoscopic treatment of early invasive lesions. The review also highlights that
FIT-progr are less performing for proximal colon than for distal colon and rectum.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 20, 2022
Accepted:
August 1,
2022
Received:
May 15,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l.
