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CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45(01): s00451804898
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1804898
Research Article

Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis: Tumor Stage of Screened vs. Symptomatic Patients

Joseph Segal
1   Department of Clinical Research, Axelrod Research Group, Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
,
Arthur Topilow 
1   Department of Clinical Research, Axelrod Research Group, Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
2   Office of Academic Affairs, JSUMC, Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
,
Glenn Parker
3   Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, JSUMC, Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding Funding for this project and the article was provided by a private grant from the late Dr. Herbert A. Axelrod.
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Abstract

Objective This study aims to evaluate the utilization of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Monmouth County, NJ, and to compare tumor stages between patients diagnosed through screening and those presenting with symptoms. The role of nurse navigators in enhancing screening adherence and patient care was also examined.

Material and Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on 118 patients diagnosed with CRC at Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) between January 2020 and July 2021. Data collected included initial symptoms, hemoglobin levels, age at diagnosis, screening history, cancer stage, nurse navigator involvement, and 24-month survival.

Results Among patients diagnosed by symptoms (n = 83), 40% were diagnosed with Stage IV CRC versus 14% for screened patients. Of the screened patients (n = 15), 86% were alive 24 months post-diagnosis compared to 67% of symptomatic patients. Notably, 73% of all patients had never undergone CRC screening, indicating a significant gap in adherence to recommended guidelines. Only 25% of patients were assigned a nurse navigator, suggesting limited utilization of this support.

Conclusions The findings demonstrate that CRC screenings were underutilized, contributing to a higher incidence of advanced-stage diagnoses and lower survival rates among symptomatic patients. Enhancing public awareness about the importance of screening, along with expanding the role of nurse navigators, may significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of advanced colorectal cancer.

Keywords

screening - CRC - symptoms - navigators

Authors' Contribution

Joseph Segal obtained the data by reviewing the charts and drafting a preliminary version of the manuscript. Arthur Topilow developed the project idea and guided Segal on how to collect the data. Topilow reviewed the data and made revisions and corrections to the manuscript. Glenn Parker, along with Topilow, developed the project idea, reviewed the data, and conducted an extensive review of the manuscript.


Ethics Approval

This study was reviewed and approved by the JSUMC Institutional Review Board.




Publication History

Received: 01 November 2024

Accepted: 09 January 2025

Article published online:
17 April 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Bibliographical Record
Joseph Segal, Arthur Topilow, Glenn Parker. Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis: Tumor Stage of Screened vs. Symptomatic Patients. Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45: s00451804898.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1804898