Identifying Patients At High Risk For Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Study Of Colonoscopy In Patients With Rectal Bleeding In A Low-Income Country

560 Background: Colorectal cancer (crc) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. There is an increasing incidence in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Patient outcomes are poor due to a lack of screening programs. Timely and efficient referral leading to earlier diagnosis of crc is imperative to improve survival. This study was initiated to determine the value of colonoscopy in patients with rectal bleeding for diagnosing crc in Nigeria. Methods: This is a prospective study of patients older than 45 years that present with rectal bleeding at 5 primary health care facilities in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Patients were enrolled when they were referred for colonoscopy at the Endoscopy unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals. Data obtained included the socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, colonoscopy and histopathological parameters. Results: In this interim analysis, 68 patients were recruited into the study. The median age was 58.5 years (range 45-89 years). Median duration of rectal ble...