PURPOSE: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) once a year or colonoscopy once in 10 years is the option approved for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for asymptomatic individuals aged ≥ 50 years in the Czech Republic. We analyzed participation in the screening program to determine possible improvements. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study, data were collected from 4044 randomly chosen individuals from the Czech population (1866 men, 2178 women) aged ≥ 50 years by questionnaires. Individuals who underwent colonoscopy within the last 10 years or/and FIT within the last 2 years were classified as participants in the screening. RESULTS: 1050 individuals underwent FIT, 464 colonoscopy, and 558 underwent both. Adjusted for age, gender, and education, a higher chance of participation in the screening was observed in groups of non-smokers (OR = 1.25; CI 1.05-1.48), ex-smokers (OR = 1.51; CI 1.26-1.83), consuming smoked meat products less than once a week (OR = 1.26; CI 1.09-1.45), practicing physical activity at least once a week (OR = 1.25; CI 1.03-1.51), hospitalized in the past 12 months (OR = 1.73; CI 1.47-2.05), or consulting a general practitioner (GP) in the past 12 months (OR = 2.26; CI 1.87-2.74). The chance of participation of individuals having a risk factor for CRC (obesity, smoking, diabetes, low physical activity, alcohol drinking) was not higher compared to those without the risk factors. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a tendency to a healthy lifestyle or being in recent contact with the healthcare system by various means, mainly visiting a GP, had a higher participation in the screening for CRC. Among groups with an increased risk for CRC, higher participation was not shown.

• Keywords
• Alcohol drinking, Diabetes, Obesity, Physical activity, Screening, Smoking,
• MeSH
• Early Detection of Cancer * MeSH
• Colonoscopy MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms * diagnosis   epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mass Screening MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Observational Study MeSH

The Czech program of colorectal cancer screening differs from most foreign programs in a number of points. The age interval of screened population was limited to 45 to 60 years. Screening was multicentric, with one reference center. More than 95% of the subjects screened were asymptomatic employees of various factories, boards and institutions. Total colonoscopy was the primary procedure in all Haemoccult-positive subjects. Some 109,213 subjects received 3 Haemoccult slides. Compliance was 83.1%, and Haemoccult was positive in 2.92% of the subjects. The diagnostic program revealed 347 (13.1%) cancers, 763 adenomas in 592 (22.2%) subjects, and other bleeding conditions in 1043 (39.2%) persons. Dukes A or B colorectal cancer was found in two-thirds of the screened subjects and in only one-third of non-screened symptomatic patients. Average diagnostic and therapeutic costs were almost the same in both groups. Gross national product savings realized by one asymptomatic subject were 315,540 Czechoslovak Crowns (approximately 18,560 US-dollars at the 1989 exchange rates). The adapted program was found to be effective, and its use in a population with a high incidence of colorectal neoplasia deserves consideration.

• MeSH
• Adenocarcinoma diagnosis   epidemiology   prevention & control   therapy   MeSH
• Cost-Benefit Analysis MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Colonoscopy MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Rectal Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   prevention & control   therapy   MeSH
• Colonic Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   prevention & control   therapy   MeSH
• Occult Blood MeSH
• Mass Screening economics   methods   MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Program Development * MeSH
• Neoplasm Staging MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH

In developed countries, colorectal cancer represents one of the most common malignancy. Screening of colorectal cancer, as a tool of secondary prevention, lead to reduction of the incidence and mortality of this disease. It allows to capture not only the precancerous lesions, but also the earlier stages of colorectal cancer, which can be effectively treated. In the Czech Republic the National colorectal cancer screening program was launched in 2000. It is focused to asymptomatic individuals over 50 years old, who have a negative personal and family history of colorectal neoplasia. The basic tools of colorectal cancer screening in the Czech Republic include fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy. Introduction a population based screening program by addressed invitation in 2014 led to increase the participation of the target population for screening. Key words: address invitation - colorectal cancer - epidemiology - population based screening - screening tests.

• MeSH
• Early Detection of Cancer * MeSH
• Colonoscopy MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms * diagnosis   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Occult Blood MeSH
• Mass Screening MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Progress in psychiatric treatment has led to important improvements in the quality of life of patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Nevertheless, the life expectancy of patients with SMI remains two decades shorter than that of the general population, and the most prevalent cause of death is cardiovascular disease. Given that the delivery of somatic care to a population of individuals with mental illness is specific, we developed a screening and intervention programme aimed at this vulnerable population. The "SOMA" programme is a complex somatic health intervention system consisting of screening and a set of interventions. Risk screening is evaluated automatically; the interventions include dietary intervention, healthy lifestyle education (HSE), physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy, and occupational therapy (KOP). The programme was introduced into the practice of the hospital, and its outcomes were monitored with a pilot population divided into 2 subprogrammes. CV risk factor prevalence study (n= 5481) as the most common CV risk factors identified hypertension (56.6 %) and smoking (55.7 %), high-risk patients proportion was 1364 (27 %). HSE (n=40) enrolled patients improved their body weight. KOP results show that patients with schizophrenia preferred physical activity less than others; 53 % of patients have no physical activity during hospitalization, and spontaneous physical activity depends on BMI in our sample. We observed improvement in cognitive functioning, perception of physical functions, or perceived limitations was comparable to the general population. Results show the usability of the program design; initial screening with two intervention branches can increase motivation for physical activity and adoption of health-promoting behaviors and support a recovery process in SMI patients. SOMA project is unique in the Czech environment, however, larger sample with longer observation period is needed.

• Keywords
• Cardiovascular disease, Healthy lifestyle education, Nutritional care, Physiotherapy, Severe mental illness,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Mental Disorders * therapy   epidemiology   MeSH
• Occupational Therapy methods   MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases prevention & control   epidemiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Mass Screening MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Schizophrenia therapy   epidemiology   MeSH
• Physical Therapy Modalities MeSH
• Healthy Lifestyle MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The epidemiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Czech Republic is extremely unfavourable. The alarmingly high rates of incidence (79/100,000) and mortality (45/100,000) (Fig.1) have practically remained unchanged in recent years. It is unclear to what extent this reflects a generally unfavourable genetic heritage, environmental factors or the dietary habits of the Czech population. The Czech Society of Gastroenterology launched a population-based CRC screening program in 2000. The FOBT became the standard procedure for a biannual screening examination performed by the general practitioners. A colonoscopy follows in the event of a positive FOBT result. In three screening rounds in 2001, 2002 and 2005, the FOBTs of 6.4% out of a total of 535,248 participants yielded positive results. 0.33% of all participants were diagnosed with a carcinoma, 1.9% with an adenoma. The acceptance and detection rates doubled between 2001 and 2005.

• MeSH
• Adenoma diagnosis   epidemiology   etiology   MeSH
• Survival Analysis MeSH
• Early Diagnosis MeSH
• Program Evaluation MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Colonoscopy * MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   etiology   mortality   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Occult Blood * MeSH
• Mass Screening * MeSH
• Colonic Polyps diagnosis   epidemiology   etiology   mortality   MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Europe and its incidence is steadily increasing. This trend could be reversed through timely secondary prevention (screening). In the last twenty years, CRC screening programs across Europe have experienced considerable improvements (fecal occult blood testing; transition from opportunistic to population based program settings). The Czech Republic is a typical example of a country with a long history of nationwide CRC screening programs in the face of very high CRC incidence and mortality rates. Each year, approximately 8000 people are diagnosed with CRC and some 4000 die from this malignancy. Twenty years ago, the first pilot studies on CRC screening led to the introduction of the opportunistic Czech National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2000. Originally, this program was based on the guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) offered by general practitioners, followed by colonoscopy in cases of FOBT positivity. The program has continuously evolved, namely with the implementation of immunochemical FOBTs and screening colonoscopy, as well as the involvement of gynecologists. Since the establishment of the Czech CRC Screening Registry in 2006, 2405850 FOBTs have been performed and 104565 preventive colonoscopies recorded within the screening program. The overall program expanded to cover 25.0% of the target population by 2011. However, stagnation in the annual number of performed FOBTs lately has led to switching to the option of a population-based program with personal invitation, which is currently being prepared.

• Keywords
• Colonoscopy, Colorectal cancer, Fecal occult blood test, Population-based screening program,
• MeSH
• Early Detection of Cancer methods   MeSH
• Feces MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Colonoscopy MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   MeSH
• Medical Oncology trends   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Occult Blood MeSH
• Mass Screening methods   MeSH
• Registries MeSH
• Quality Control MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Europe MeSH

UNLABELLED: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant disease in developed countries and its incidence is steadily growing. This trend has a stable character despite the fact that CRC is among the best prevention influenced malignancies. National CRC screening program in the Czech Republic, which was established in year 2000, follows the world trends resulting from evidence based medicine. Currently, the basic tools of screening program are immunochemical fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopy in case of their positivity or screening colonoscopy. Stagnation of participating population resulted to initiation of address invitation of the target population in January 2014, in which citizens are regularly invited to attend the screening program and their response is subsequently evaluated. Screening that impacts whole target group is called population screening. KEY WORDS: colorectal cancer, population screening program, colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests, address invitation.

• MeSH
• Early Detection of Cancer statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Colonoscopy MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   MeSH
• Medical Oncology trends   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Occult Blood MeSH
• Mass Screening statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Registries statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH

The Czech population has high burden of malignant tumors, and screening programs are therefore an essential part of cancer control policy. At the beginning of 2014 personalized invitation of Czech citizens for cancer screening programs was launched to promote higher coverage by screening. The aim of the paper is to present the up-to-date results of the personalized invitation. The data from health insurance companies were used to evaluate the volume of invitations for cancer screening programs and the participation rate after invitation in 2014-2017. During the first four years of the project, over 6 million invitations were sent (approximately 3 million individuals were invited). Participation rates after the first invitation in the breast, colorectal and cervical screening were 22.3%, 21.7% and 15.5%. However, the effect of personalized invitations decreases with repeated invitations to participate. Personalized invitation contributed to screening in hundreds of thousands citizens, but a large proportion of invited people still do not participate. It is necessary to encourage personalized invitation and discuss other strategies to motivate the public to participate in screening programs.

• Keywords
• cancer, mass screening, participation rate, personalized invitation,
• MeSH
• Early Detection of Cancer * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Uterine Cervical Neoplasms * MeSH
• Mass Screening * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

In the introduction the results of previous retrospective study (1975-79) including 312,259 newborns and of preliminary screening program including 31,780 newborns are briefly summarized. After January 1st, 1985 a compulsory screening of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) was started in the whole territory of Slovakia using the estimation of thyroxine in dry blood spot obtained from a heel prick on 5th day after birth. In suspected cases a complete clinical and laboratory examination was made including TSH estimation by RIA and after January 1st, 1988 by IRMA. The organization of screening program is described in detail. During three and half year period 286,469 newborns were examined which represented almost 100 percent of all newborns. A total of 44 cases of CH was found out of them 13 cases of athyreosis, 3 cases of ectopic thyroid and 28 cases of dyshormonogenesis (among them 5 cases with goiter and 23 cases without goiter). The average incidence of CH was 1:6874. Until January 1st, 1988 (when only T4 estimation was used as a first step) the recall rate was 2.32% and the treatment was started before 25th day after birth, while after the use of TSH by IRMA from dry blood spot in suspected cases (i.e. after January 1st, 1988) the recall rate decreased to 0.82% and the treatment was started before 14th day of life. In addition, the data on 39 cases of TBG deficiency and on regional differences in their incidence are reported. Some remarkable differences in the incidence of total CH and of its individual variants between West, Central and East Slovakia with different historical, cultural, economical and genetical background as well as in some ethnic groups (Gypsies) are also presented.

• MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Hypothyroidism epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Congenital Hypothyroidism * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Mass Screening * MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Thyroxine blood   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czechoslovakia MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Thyroxine MeSH

Knowledge about newborn screening (NBS) is an important factor for parents to make an informed decision about participation. In Europe, countries inform parents differently about their NBS program, potentially including different knowledge aspects in their information. The aim of this study was to assess twenty-six European parental information products and to analyze their knowledge aspects through a content analysis. The analyzed aspects were compared to a list of eight knowledge aspects from scientific literature. The list includes aspects important for parents' decision-making, such as the purpose of screening. The study showed that most of the eight knowledge aspects are included in NBS information products of the majority of countries. However, there were differences between countries, for example in the amount of detail and phrasing of the information. Additional relevant knowledge aspects have also been identified and are recommended to optimize information products, such as the handling of residual bloodspot samples. This study only assessed knowledge aspects in information products meant for printing, but many countries also use other communication methods, and the impact on knowledge of the delivery of the information needs further study. Preferences of parents on alternative communication methods need to be considered and evaluated on their effectiveness.

• Keywords
• European information products, informed decision, knowledge aspects, newborn screening (NBS), parental information,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH