NORCCAP-I

This project is a randomized study on screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomatous polyps (potential precursor lesions for colorectal cancer). The project arose from an initiative made by the Norwegian Gastrointestinal Cancer Group (NGICG) and the Norwegian Cancer Society with the financing divided between the Norwegian Cancer Society and the Ministry of Health and Care Services. The screening examinations were executed in Oslo and Telemark in 1999-2001. The first results from the follow-up studies are expected in 2009.

21 000 women and men between the age of 50 and 64, living in Oslo and Telemark, were randomly drawn from the population registry and offered a screening examination by flexible sigmoidoscopy (flexible endoscope for examination of the distal 50-60 cm of the large intestine). The rest of the population in this age range (n=79 000) constituted the control group. Half of the invitees were asked to deliver a stool sample for supplementary screening for blood in the feces (FOB-testing with immunochemical test – FlexSure OBT®) and for examinations to find alternative screening methods. In accordance to this blood samples were also taken with a view to gene polymorphisms which can influence folate metabolism and the risk of CRC.

So far 36 original articles and 8 Ph.D theses have been published (of which one “twin-thesis” with two Ph.D.-candidates). Much of the research done have been of great value to conventional clinical activity and the quality assurance program in NORCCAP-I has given the base for Gastronet – a network of quality control in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastronet has become one of the national quality control programs of the Norwegian Directorate of Health and NGF official quality assurance platform.