Colorectal cancer screening cuts death risk

A study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers at Karolinska Institute and Umeå University in Sweden found that active participation in colorectal cancer screening is associated with a 43% lower risk of dying from the disease, while receiving an invitation is associated with a 26% lower risk. The findings are based on up to 14 years of follow-up data from the Sweden — Stockholm-Sweden — Gotland screening programme, which began in 2008. The study included 376,511 people and recorded 1,668 deaths from colorectal cancer. The researchers used statistical methods to adjust for contamination bias and nonadherence. The study was funded by the American Cancer Society, the Sweden — Swedish Research Council, and Sweden — Stockholm County.