Colorectal cancer screening in Italy: feasibility and cost-effectiveness in a model area

To evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of screening programmes for colorectal cancer in Italy. DESIGN; We compared five types of programmes: annual faecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years), faecal occult blood testing plus sigmoidoscopy (every 1 and 5 years), colonoscopy (every 10 years) (all in the age group 55-69 years, last examination at 70 years) and 'filter' colonoscopy. The latter had to be performed in persons at 50 years of age and repeated every 10 years until the age of 70. Costs for the tests and colon cancer care were paid by the Regional Health Office to the hospitals performing the procedures/treatments.