NATIONAL SCREENING PROGRAM FOR COLORECTAL CANCER

Abstract

Colorectal Cancer:
Colorectal cancer is one of the preventable cancers in humans. From a simple polyp to cancer, it is a long journey and gives us a window of opportunity to intervene and prevent it. Historically, Pakistan has been considered a low-prevalence country for colorectal cancer but changing epidemiological patterns dictate that we should think of implementing bowel screening programs for early detection and risk reduction. More than 1.9 million new colorectal cancer (including anus) cases and 935,000 deaths were estimated to occur in 2020, representing about one in 10 cancer cases and deaths. (Globocan 2020). Colorectal Cancer is the 3rd most common cancer among men and 2nd most common cancer among women, worldwide. (1). CRC mortality rates have been declining in the USA and Canada, whereas in many countries like Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the mortality rates are increasing. This difference between Canada and the US with the rest of the countries in the Americas serves as an indication of differences that may exist in health care, including CRC screening, early detection, and treatment. There are perhaps lessons that can be learned from the USA and Canada experiences with CRC programs that can be used to address the growing burden of CRC in LAC