In most Western countries, colorectal cancer is an important disease i
n terms of morbidity and mortality. As it has a premalignant asymptoma
tic stage in the form of benign adenomas that might be detected by scr
eening, and as screening leads to detection of colorectal cancer at an
earlier stage, there is potential for improved and better quality sur
vival. Most cost-effective analyses rank the various screening strateg
ies at less than an accepted benchmark value of approximately $40,000
per added year of life, Periodic colorectal screening is therefore a c
ost-effective intervention and the Office of Technology Assessment of
the Congress of the United States has concluded that colorectal cancer
screening in average-risk adults beginning at age 50 is a relatively
good investment for society. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and double contras
t barium enema are the most cost-effective strategies but they both re
quire colonoscopy if a lesion is identified. Colonoscopy at 10-yearly
intervals is of comparable cost to flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 year
s and less costly than FSIG every 3 years. Combination strategies, usi
ng faecal occult blood testing with periodic flexible sigmoidoscopy or
double contrast barium enema are as costly as colonoscopy. The choice
of screening strategies needs to be tailored to the individual, and a
process of community education is an essential prerequisite to the su
ccess of any programme.