Table 5.

Advantages and limitations of current screening methods

Methods	Efficiency	Insufficiency or drawbacks	Reference
FOBT or FIT	Easiest, least expensive method for screening Reduces cancer mortality 15% to 33% Specificity ranging from 88% to 98%	Detects only 30-40% of CRC Detects 10% of late stage adenomas	18-24
sDNA	Sensitivity ranging from 52% to 91% Specificity ranging from 93% to 97%	Detects only late stage lesions	25-29
FSIG	Directly inspects the mucosal surface Ability to resect identified abnormalities Reduces CRC mortality	Fails to detect polyps in the proximal colon, where 40% of all cancers occur, Fails to detect 10-15% sigmoid colon cancers	30-40
COL	Directly inspects the mucosal surface Ability to resect identified abnormalities Reduces CRC mortality Ability to perform interventions for other diseases Current gold standard for detection and treatment	Invasive and time consuming Requires bowel preparation Costly Carries risk of perforation or death May miss up to 10-20% of polyps < 1 cm	41-53
DCBE	Sensitivity for detecting polyps and cancer are about 70% and 85%, respectively Less invasive procedure	Doesn't permit removal of identified abnormalities Less specific screening test	54-56
CTC	Sensitivity for detecting adenomas ≥5 mm ranging from 65-72% Sensitivity for detecting larger adenomas ranging from 80-85% Less invasive than COL	Delivers a significantly higher amount of radiation exposure (2-4 rad) than routine chest radiograph (0.5 rad)	57-62