PhD defence Hilliene van de Schootbrugge-Vandermeer

Description of thesis:
Colorectal cancer has a significant impact on global health. In 2022, colorectal cancer accounted for nearly two million new cases and one million deaths, ranking it the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
The identifiability, treatability and slow progression of precursor lesions, along with the favorable prognosis of early-stage cancers, make colorectal cancer particularly suitable for screening. As a result, colorectal cancer screening programs have been implemented in many countries across the globe. Screening reduces colorectal cancer incidence and colorectal cancer-related mortality through the detection and removal of precursor lesions and the early detection of cancers.
To maintain their effectiveness, colorectal cancer screening programs should be continuously evaluated and opportunities for improvement should be investigated. The aim of this thesis is twofold: (1) to evaluate equity and quality within the Dutch colorectal cancer screening program, and (2) to explore opportunities for optimization of colorectal cancer screening, focusing on resource constraints, cost-effectiveness and risk-stratification.