Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening
Despite strong evidence of effectiveness, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening remains underused. Currently, there are several options for CRC screening, each with its own performance characteristics and considerations for practice - Aasma Shaukat & Theodore R. Levin
image by: Steve and Sara Emry
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A Teachable Moment on the Need for Colon Cancer Screening
More than 690 organizations have joined the effort to remove barriers to screening that can include cost, transportation and resistance to what most people view as an unpleasant experience. Colonoscopy, the gold standard for detecting cancer and removing precancerous polyps, has the dubious distinction of being the least pleasant of all the available screening tests. But the other options, which involve collecting a sample of one’s stool for detection of possible cancer, are no one’s favorites either.
I’ve done both — in fact, I’ve had three colonoscopies, at ages 50, 60 and 70. The test itself is done under mild sedation, and I’ve never felt any pain, only slight pressure,…
Resources
Colorectal Cancer: Screening Recommendations
In the current recommendation, while continuing to recommend colorectal cancer screening in adults aged 50 to 75 years (A recommendation), the USPSTF now recommends offering screening starting at age 45 years (B recommendation). As it did in 2016, the USPSTF continues to conclude that screening in adults aged 76 to 85 years should be an individual decision (C recommendation) and screening should be discontinued after age 85 years.
Colorectal cancer screening: Science should trump convenience
Almost 1 in 6 people who use the Cologuard test will have a positive result that suggests the presence of colorectal cancer. They will no doubt worry they have colon cancer while scheduling and preparing for the recommended follow-up colonoscopy. For almost half of them (45 percent), the colonoscopy will show they do not have cancer.
Current and future colorectal cancer screening strategies
Despite strong evidence of effectiveness, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening remains underused. Currently, there are several options for CRC screening, each with its own performance characteristics and considerations for practice.
Do 45-Year-Olds Really Need Colon Cancer Screening?
A new recommendation says yes. The evidence is more complicated.
Future of Colorectal Cancer Screening: From One-Size-FITs-All to Tailor-Made
Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and its precursor lesions, advanced adenomas (AA), has been shown to effectively reduce CRC-related mortality. However, the method of CRC screening varies among countries. Primary colonoscopy screening is the most effective screening option from an individual point of view, but it is costly and population-wide participation rates are relatively low.
Get Your Butts To The Doctor To Prevent Colorectal Cancer
We have moved the ball way downfield, but we haven’t reached the goal line yet. Colon cancer is beatable in 90 percent of cases when detected early, and is often entirely preventable with appropriate screening.
The American Cancer Society Wants You to Start Colorectal Cancer Screening Earlier
The ACS is now recommending that adults at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening for it at age 45. The new recommendations are a "much needed change," Scott R. Steele, M.D., colorectal surgeon and chairman of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. “Our goal is to prevent colorectal cancer, or at a minimum detect it at an early stage. This is a collaborative, proactive and well-thought out change in the recommendations and hopefully will lead to the intended result.”
Colonoscopy and Other Colorectal Cancer Screening Options: An Update
We still don’t have evidence to directly compare the effectiveness of the different options or to show a decrease in all-cause mortality. Trials are in progress that should provide that evidence. Meanwhile, if you are approaching the age of 50, you have a decision to make: not whether to be screened, but which screening test to choose.
Giving Patients Choices in Colon Cancer Screening
A new study shows that patients are far less likely to undergo screening for colon cancer if their doctors recommend only colonoscopy, rather than offering other screening options.
Is colonoscopy the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening?
Colonoscopy is not better than other tests at reducing your chance of dying of colorectal cancer, but the belief that it is superior keeps many people from getting any form of colorectal screening.
Kathy Ireland Supports Colorectal Cancer Screening
If like me, you are 50 or over, or you have a family history of colon cancer, please talk with your doctor about getting screened; it could save your life.
More Screenings Put Dent in Colon Cancer
Screening tests for breast and prostate cancer have come under fire in recent years for overdiagnosing malignancies—that is, finding a significant number of early cancers that would never cause harm if left untreated, leading to unnecessary treatment. Colon-cancer screening is less controversial.
New Ways to Screen for Colon Cancer
No More Colonoscopies? Less-Invasive Methods Are Coming.
The Cancer Screening Test That’s Being Overused (And The One That’s Not Being Used Enough)
Physicians, insurance companies and the media may share responsibility for getting the word out about the most-recent cancer-screening guidelines, Paskett said. “We need to shift resources,” she said “And change the norm, so that there’s a positive view on the colonoscopy, comparable to what we have for mammography.”
Exploring Traditional, Experimental Screenings for Colorectal Cancer
Considering the rising rates of colorectal cancer, clinicians are looking at traditional and experimental screening tools for detecting the condition.
The Present and Future of Colorectal Cancer Screening
The incidence and mortality associated with CRC has decreased over the past 4 decades, owing largely to increased CRC screening implementation. Improvements in testing options and improved and mandated financial coverage for CRC screening have also played a major role in these outcomes. In addition, rates of CRC are increasing in younger populations, and this observation has led to new guideline recommendations to initiate screening at 45 years of age. This recommendation will undoubtedly increase demand for CRC screening that may exceed readily available resources for definitive colorectal neoplasia detection and management.
A Teachable Moment on the Need for Colon Cancer Screening
Although colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, after lung cancer. Detection guidelines call for screening to begin at 50 for most people, but colon cancer is now increasing in people under 50, and everyone should be aware of the risks and early warning signs.
ColoGuard
Cologuard is an easy to use, noninvasive colon cancer screening test based on the latest advances in stool DNA science. It can be used by men and women 50 years of age and older who are at average risk for colon cancer. Cologuard finds both cancer and precancer.
Screen for Life
CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign informs men and women aged 50 years and older about the importance of having regular colorectal cancer screening tests.
Cancer.org
No one looks forward to a colonoscopy, or the bowel prep that goes with it. But colon cancer and rectal cancer screening – testing to look for cancer before symptoms start – helps saves lives. Screening can find colon cancer or rectal cancer early when it’s small and easier to treat, or even prevent it altogether. Colonoscopy, however, is just one of many tests that can be used to look for colon cancer and rectal cancer. And doctors and researchers continue to develop new ones.
CDC
Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer...
FamilyDoctor.org
Screening tests can find polyps or cancers before they are large enough to cause any symptoms. Screening tests are important because early detection means that the cancer can be more effectively treated. Your doctor will choose the tests that are right for you.
National Cancer Institute
Several screening tests have been developed to help doctors find colorectal cancer early, when it may be more treatable. Some tests that detect adenomas and polyps can actually prevent the development of cancer because these tests allow growths that might otherwise become cancer to be detected and removed. That is, colorectal cancer screening may be a form of cancer prevention, not just early detection.
Patient
Bowel (colorectal) cancer is common. The outlook (prognosis) and chance of cure are much better if this cancer is detected at an early stage rather than at a later stage. A screening programme operates in the UK for certain age groups. The aim is to offer an easy screening test to detect bowel cancer when it is at an early stage and before symptoms start. Some people outside the normal screening age who have a high risk of developing bowel cancer are offered extra screening tests.
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