Did you miss this years JAKademy? The topic of this year was various aspects of screening, the meaning of screening, ethical considerations, screening in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the SCREESCO study. You can download a pdf of the meeting minutes.

Below you will find a high level summary of topics discussed.

Introduction to the theme The meaning of Screening

Ann-Sofie Backman, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

The theme of the meeting was introduced, and important questions were raised such as the appropriate age for screening, high-risk groups, and potential variations in perspectives among healthcare professionals.

Ethical screening, who should be screened? At what price?

Johannes Blom, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden

Screening involves detecting diseases in asymptomatic individuals to prevent premature death with early treatment.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening meets the criteria for screening as it is an important health problem with known natural history, there are available treatment, effective tests, acceptance of tests by the target population, and cost-effectiveness.

The prevalence of CRC and its mortality rates justify screening.

Overdiagnosis and overtreatment are concerns with screening, as well as false-negative and false-positive tests that can result in delayed care-seeking or unnecessary anxiety.

Another ethical consideration is resource allocation, such as crowding out effects, and that individuals that are likely to benefit most from screening are more likely not to participate.

Screening in IBD – do we add value?

Sverre Söderlund, gastroenterologist Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

The risk of CRC in IBD patients depends on the duration of the disease, ranging from 2% after 10 years to 18% after 30 years.

Surveillance programs for IBD require specialized methods, including skilled endoscopists, to detect dysplasia and early-stage cancers.

Factors such as the total burden of inflammation, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and a family history of early-onset CRC determine the need for surveillance and its frequency. Focus should be on individuals at most risk, tailored screening.

Despite research challenges, surveillance has shown a decrease in the incidence of CRC among IBD patients.

SCREESCO – a goldmine for future research into screening

Anna Forsberg KI, endoskopicentrum Capio Sankt Görans sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden

SCREESCO is a national study on CRC screening funded by 18 county councils/regions and involving 33 hospitals.

Direct colonoscopy performed by skilled individuals is the most effective method for screening, but participation rates were low.

FIT (fecal immunochemical test) had a higher participation rate and showed no significant differences from colonoscopy at the "intention to screen" level.

The study provides valuable data for future research.

The meeting was sponsored by Galapagos, and also contained product information about Jyseleca (filgotinib), a preferential JAK1 inhibitor that is take orally as a tablet once daily. You can find more information about Jyseleca on Fass.se