Surveillance of colorectal cancer in the province of Córdoba through prevention and early detection: results of a pilot test

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Argentina. Late diagnosis significantly reduces the chances of survival. The objective was to describe the implementation study for CRC prevention, carried out in the department of Pocho (province of Córdoba, Argentina), and to analyze risk and vulnerability factors according to conditions of average (AR) or high risk (HR). METHODS: A total of 265 adults aged 50 to 75 years living in Pocho were included. A territorial intervention device was designed; coverage, health outcome, reference and counter-reference indicators were constructed and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 19.6% of participants with HR and 80.4% with AR. The coverage by invitation was 36.6% of the target population, the acceptance rate was 84.2%, the positivity of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) was 19.3%, and the rate of compliance with video colonoscopy was 81.8%. Inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetables and grilled meats was higher in the AR group (p≤0.05); 17.4% had smoked at least one cigarette in the last 30 days; 77.6% had done at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily; 52% reported high blood pressure at least once, 21.7% high blood glucose and 21.8% high cholesterol; 29.5% presented obesity. DISCUSSION: Adherence to the test and to the care circuit was high. The foundations were laid for the provincial escalation of the CRC preventive strategy through screening with iFOBT.