Table 1.

Clinical features indicating increased risk of CRC

CLINICAL FEATURE	MEDIAN PPV (RANGE), %
Palpable rectal or abdominal mass	NA*
Rectal bleeding combined with weight loss	13.0 (4.7–23)
Iron deficiency anemia	11.0 (7.7–41)
Rectal bleeding mixed with stool	11.0 (3.0–21)
Rectal bleeding in the absence of perianal symptoms	10.8 (6.9–18)
Rectal bleeding combined with a change in bowel habits	10.5 (9.2–27)
Dark rectal bleeding	9.7 (7.4–17)
Rectal bleeding and diarrhea	9.0 (3.4–19)
Rectal bleeding and age > 60 or > 65 y	8.6 (4.6–20)
Rectal bleeding and age > 70 or > 75 y	7.9 (4.9–31)
Change in bowel habits or diarrhea	7.5 (0.94–14)
Rectal bleeding and male sex	7.5 (2.4–17)
Rectal bleeding and age > 50 or > 55 y	5.9 (4–11)
Rectal bleeding (undefined)	5.3 (2.2–16)
Rectal bleeding and abdominal pain	5.1 (1.7–23)
Rectal bleeding first episode	5.0 (2.2–14)

CRC—colorectal cancer, NA—not available, PPV—positive predictive value.

^*Individual studies reported PPVs > 15%.