PEBC MCQ Public Health & Stewardship question: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

PEBC MCQPublic Health & Stewardship

A 55 year old asks the pharmacist about colon cancer screening. He has no symptoms or family history. Which recommendation reflects the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care?

a. No screening until bowel symptoms develop
b. A CEA blood test every year
c. Stool-based testing (FOBT or FIT) every 2 years
d. A colonoscopy every year from age 40

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: c. Stool-based testing (FOBT or FIT) every 2 years

The Canadian Task Force recommends screening average-risk adults aged 50-74 for colorectal cancer with a fecal occult blood test (gFOBT or FIT) every 2 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years; colonoscopy is not recommended as the primary screening test for average-risk adults in that guideline. Provinces run FIT programs. CEA is a tumour marker, not a screening test. Source: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, Recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer in primary care (CMAJ 2016;188:340).

Common mistake

Assuming annual colonoscopy is the standard screening test.

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