BACKGROUND Subjects without known colorectal adenomas or cancer constitute a large majority of the population where 85% of all cases of colorectal cancer are thought to occur. Consequently these people should be considered for screening to decrease mortality from colorectal cancer in the general population.

AIMS To estimate the incidence rate of rectosigmoid adenomas in these subjects.

RESULTS A total of 450 subjects fulfilled the selection criteria; 287 (64%) underwent at least two examinations, and 163 had three or more. At the second examination, with a mean delay of 39 months, the incidence rate of rectosigmoïd adenomas was 1.50% per patient year. The rate was 1.75% per patient year (95% CI 0.80–3.33) at the third endoscopy with an additional mean delay of 38 months. The cumulative incidence rate at six years was 7.3% (95% CI 4.3–10.3), representing a mean of 1.2% per patient year. This rate increased with age and was higher for men than for women after age adjustment (p< 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS The incidence rates are very low compared with those of patients with prior adenomas. These results should be considered in establishing rectosigmoid adenoma screening strategies.