Overview
The Nordic-European Initiative on Colorectal Cancer (NordICC) study is a multinational, population-based randomized clinical trial set up to investigate the effectiveness of colonoscopy screening on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in several European countries.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is major burden in western countries which develops over a long time-interval from precursor lesions which exist in the colon. Colonoscopy can detect and remove the precursor lesions and may, therefore, be an effective intervention for the prevention of CRC. The NordICC study is a randomised controlled trial which compares a study group, who are offered a one-time screening colonoscopy, with a control group who follow the current standard of care.
After 13 years of follow up, the study found that one colonoscopy significantly reduced colorectal cancer incidence but not mortality over 13 years.
Colorectal cancer mortality was lower in both study groups than when the trial was designed.
Title of Publication
Long-term effects of colonoscopy screening on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality: a multicountry, population based randomised controlled trial
Authors
Michal F Kaminski, Mette Kalager, Magnus Løberg, Louise Emilsson, Anna Macios, Faye Samy, Joy Shi, Shona Fielding, Miguel A Hernán, Kjetil Garborg, Maciej Rupinski, Evelien Dekker, Manon Spaander, Øyvind Holme, Ann G Zauber, Nastazja D Pilonis, Joanna Didkowska, Piotr Spychalski, Geir Hoff, Jaroslaw Regula, Hans-Olov Adami, Michael Bretthauer, for the NordICC Study Group
Publication Reference
The Lancet | Volume 407 | Pages 1787-1795 | 9 May 2026
