The number of people who have been screened,
within a defined time frame following an invitation,
as a proportion of all people who are invited
to attend for screening.
The effectiveness of the programme will depend
on the participation rate. In the randomised
FOBT trials, uptake at the first round was
between 49.5% and 66.8% (Table 3.2); uptake
at subsequent rounds varied according to the policy for reinvitation. In a US study that recruited volunteers
75%–78% of subjects invited were screened at least once (Mandel et al. 1993). Reported uptake
in population-based programmes ranges from 17.2% to 90.1% at the first round; the range at
subsequent rounds is smaller
N people invited and screened/tested
during the time frame*
N eligible people invited
during the time frame*
* equal to the defined screening interval or
reporting period
For flexible sigmoidoscopy, uptake rates in RCTs ranged from 32.4% to 83.5%, again with high rates
being associated with recruitment of volunteers or those who had expressed interest in participation).
In population-based programmes, uptake rates range from 7% to 55%
Outcomes with faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for primary
screening
FOBT indicators will vary according to the type of test used and programme policy, and
therefore these should be reported.
Inadequate FOBT rate
The rate of inadequate tests is defined as the proportion
of people screened with one or more FOBT
returned during the respective time frame (e.g. a
12-month period) none of which were adequate.
Rates of inadequate tests should remain low. They
reflect, among other things, the understanding of
the people who are using a test and therefore also
the quality of the information provided to them.
In population-based programmes, inadequate gFOBT rates between 0.4% and 4.5% have
been reported. No data are available yet for iFOBT.
