Colonoscopy demand estimation for population-based colorectal cancer screening using fecal immunochemical test in Chile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47892/rgp.2026.463.2200Keywords:
Occult Blood, Colorectal Neoplasms, Colonoscopy, ChileAbstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening based on fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has demonstrated effectiveness in multiple studies. Objective: To estimate the potential demand for colonoscopy generated by a single-sample qualitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the FONASA beneficiaries aged 50–75 years using data from the 2016–2017 Chilean National Health Survey (ENS). Materials and methods: A prevalence study was conducted in a representative subsample of FONASA beneficiaries aged 50–75 years. Participants underwent a single-sample qualitative FIT. The prevalence of positive FIT results was compared across different groups, and multivariable models were constructed adjusting for sex, age, urban/rural residence, health insurance status, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and family history of CRC. Results: A total of 892 individuals were included (97.8% test return rate), mean age of 60.52 years (SD 0.40); 53.71% were women, and 3.22% reported a family history of CRC. The prevalence of lower gastrointestinal bleeding during the previous three months was 10.22%, while 36.86% reported a change in bowel movements. FIT positivity was 17.46% (95% CI: 14.07–21.29), with no significant differences according to sex, family history of CRC, or reported symptoms. The estimated colonoscopy demand corresponds to 440,443 individuals. Conclusions: Implementation of a FIT-based CRC screening strategy would require a substantial increase in colonoscopy capacity in Chile to meet the additional demand generated within the target age group, with heterogeneous distribution across regions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Oscar Corsi, Maite González, Álvaro Passi-Solar, Leonardo Cárcamo, Felipe Imigo, María Jesús Irarrázaval, Paula Margozzini, Hugo Monrroy, Bruno Nervi, Johanna Acevedo, Felipe Bellolio, Felipe Quezada-Diaz
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