Diseases of the colon and rectum
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Poor public awareness may account for the advanced stage at diagnosis, hence, poorer survival. With the aim of reducing colorectal cancer deaths, the United Kingdom National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign was rolled out from January 2012. Currently, the United Kingdom government target is to have all patients suspected to have cancer seen within 2 weeks of referral from general practitioners. This has significant impact on the workload for endoscopists. ⋯ The National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign significantly increased the demand for colorectal services. With a potentially more favorable oncological outcome, further evaluation of supporting this greater workload demand is warranted.
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Sham feeding has been shown to hasten the return of GI function following colorectal surgery, before the advent of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. Few data exist regarding the efficacy of sham feeding in the modern era, with rapid postoperative feeding. ⋯ Sham feeding following colorectal surgery is safe, results in small improvements in GI recovery, and is associated with a reduction in the length of hospital stay. It confers no advantage if patients are placed on a rapid postoperative feeding regime.