Using iron deficiency tests for colorectal cancer screening: a feasibility study in one UK general practice

Authors: Adrian Edwards; Michael Penney¹; Miles Allison²

Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, Volume 10, Number 3, August 2004 , pp. 475-479(5)

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Abstract:

Iron deficiency is common at presentation in colorectal cancer. Testing for it may complement other screening tests such as faecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy. We therefore examined the feasibility of offering iron deficiency testing to patients in a primary care setting in the UK, offering testing to all 1240 patients aged 55–74 years in one general practice in South Wales, UK. Patients with abnormal results were assessed and offered further investigations. Five hundred and fifty-one people (44.4%) attended for iron deficiency blood tests, of whom 26 patients (4.7%) were iron deficient and offered endoscopic assessment. This identified two cases of benign neoplasia amenable to treatment and no cases of cancer. Iron deficiency testing in a screening context appeared feasible although uptake may be low.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; ferritin; general practice; iron deficiency; screening

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2004.00524.x

Affiliations: 1: Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK 2: Consultant Gastroenterologist, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport

Publication date: 2004-08-01