CURRENT SURGICAL PRACTICE IN SCREENING FOR COLORECTAL-CANCER BASED ONFAMILY HISTORY CRITERIA

Background As awareness about colorectal cancer increases there has be en a steady rise in the number of referrals of relatives of patients w ith colorectal cancer to colorectal surgeons for screening investigati ons based on family history criteria. Surgeons are generally not train ed in either risk assessment of inherited colorectal cancer or genetic counselling. As this is a relatively new area of service, there is li kely to be variation in the management of these individuals. Methods T his study investigated the family history criteria used and the coloni c screening practices employed by a group of consultant colorectal sur geons by means of a postal questionnaire distributed and collected thr ough their specialist association. Results The results show not only w ide variation in the practice of colorectal screening based on family history criteria, but also a considerable waste of resources in the pr ovision of illogical and inappropriate investigations. Conclusion Give n the lack of evidence on which to base this clinical practice and the current financial difficulties in the health service, the authors que stion whether it is appropriate for surgeons to continue to provide su ch a service.