SMARTER: Using Blood Samples to iMprove FIT-bAsed coloRecTal cancEr scReening

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age50-74
SponsorVejle Hospital

About this trial

The project aims to investigate whether colorectal cancer screening can be improved using blood tests, thereby reducing the number of unnecessary colonoscopies. The Danish colorectal cancer screening program was implemented in 2014, and currently, all individuals aged 50-74 are invited every two years to participate. Those who test positive for hidden blood in their stool are referred for a colonoscopy. More than a third of the approximately 25,000 colonoscopies performed annually in the screening program can be classified as unnecessary, as they reveal a normal colon. This results in avoidable and unpleasant procedures for individuals and strains healthcare resources.

The project seeks to reduce the number of these unnecessary colonoscopies by investigating whether blood biomarkers can identify individuals at very low risk of colorectal cancer after a positive stool test for hidden blood. By utilizing blood tests, screening could become more personalized, precise, and resource-efficient for the healthcare system.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Participation in the colorectal cancer screening program.

Disqualifiers

Participants are excluded if a colonoscopy is not completed unless this is due to a colorectal cancer obstruction.

Trial population

All citizens referred to a colonoscopy at Vejle Hospital or Hospital Sønderjylland in the colorectal cancer screening program.

Trial design

Design model

Cohort

Time perspective

Prospective

Treatments tested in this trial

Not listed

Trial groups

1,000 Participants
are grouped into 1 trial group
Group A: Screening participants

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Correlation between result of blood test and colonoscopy result in patients screened positive for blood in the stool

The aim is to investigate the individual's chance of being healthy despite a positive test for blood in the stool in the colorectal cancer screening program. The chance of being healthy is estimated from the combined blood sample results and will be compared to the results of the colonoscopy.

Time frame
From enrollment in study till 120 days after colonoscopy. The blood sample will be drawn before the colonoscopy and the final diagnosis from the colonoscopy will be registered 120 days after the colonoscopy.

Secondary outcomes

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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