New Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines: Get Screened Early, Expand Testing Options

C Colorectal cancer It is the fourth most common non-skin cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. But for many middle- or low-risk adults, colorectal cancer can be detected early and treated with positive results, simply by following an appropriate screening regimen. As infection rates increase, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has developed new guidelines designed to encourage more adults to undergo early screening and benefit from a broader range of tests.

Concerned by data showing significantly higher rates of colorectal cancer among younger Americans, the American Psychiatric Association recommends that all adults at average or low-risk be screened for the disease by age 45, rather than 50, as recommended its above. Adults who are otherwise healthy, with an average risk and a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue screening until age 75, the ACS recommends. People over the age of 76 should consult a doctor about a screening program. At-risk men and women, such as patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, may need a more aggressive screening program.

Two-thirds of all colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in adults ages 55 to 84, according to National Cancer Institute statistics from 2011 to 2015. But a 2017 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that diagnoses of colorectal cancer have increased dramatically. Big in youth for the past 20 years. The study authors noted that “the risk of colorectal cancer by age has returned to the level of those born around 1890 … underlining the need for increased awareness among clinicians and the general public.”

The American Psychiatric Association also recommends that physicians provide patients with a broader range of colorectal cancer screenings to choose from, in the hope that more options will lead to more screening tests. “Following the adage that the best screening test is one that does and is done well, the American Association of Medical Services (ACS) recommends that a selection of tests be offered to patients based on the availability of high-quality options,” the organization said by updating its guidelines. . “We hope that widespread adoption of this evidence will have a significant impact on the incidence, suffering, and mortality of colorectal cancer.” The ACS advises patients to continue with a colonoscopy if they have received positive results from tests other than a colonoscopy.

What are the recommendations?

Recommendations include:

• stool tests
• Stool immunohistochemical test every year
• Guayac-based high sensitivity fecal occult blood test every year
• Stool multi-target DNA test (Cologuard) every three years
• Endoscopic or imaging examinations
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• CT colonography every five years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
• Source: American Cancer Society

By reducing the recommended age for colorectal screening and expanding the number of screening options, the ACS hopes to reduce incidence rates and detect disease early enough to improve outcomes for more patients. Says Jeffrey Weber, MD, a gastroenterologist at Our Phoenix Hospital. “For a long time, we have advocated screening for African Americans starting at age 45, because they are more likely to get the disease, and I think we start screening the rest of the population at age 45. It will save a lot of lives.”

Learn more about colorectal cancer.