UEG: Increased nurse endoscopy training could reduce CRC mortality

United European Gastroenterology, Europe’s largest digestive health organization, has called for an urgent increase in nurse endoscopy training in order to combat rising colorectal cancer mortality across the continent, according to a UEG press release.

With current estimates of colorectal cancer (CRC) deaths nearing 215,000 adult Europeans per year, or one death every three minutes, compounded by projections of a 12% increase in this figure by 2020, UEG seeks to raise awareness of the 90% to 95% survival rate associated with early detection.

Citing the 20% to 30% reduced risk for CRC death associated with fecal occult blood test (FOBT), as well as studies that suggest endoscopic screening has a preventive effect superior to FOBT, the release emphasized the current shortage of endoscopy-trained nurses in most European nations, and commended the European Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Nurses and Associates (ESGENA) for its leadership.

“We have established a European Endoscopy Nurses Forum which has allowed collaboration between European countries to establish a harmonized training program for endoscopy nurses and allowed standardization of the role of endoscopy nurses across Europe,” Michael Ortmann, president of ESGENA, said in the press release. He said the initiative “will have a significant impact on the reduction of [CRC] deaths.”

ESGENA, in partnership with the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Austrian Society of Endoscopy and GE Nurses and Assistants, will host a meeting in Vienna during UEG Week (Oct. 22-18) dedicated to providing endoscopy training for nurses, the release said.

Source:United European Gastroenterology