New guidelines for colon cancer screening you need to know

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In a new article from the University of Minnesota, researchers published updated recommendations for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

They updated the 2009 American College of Gastroenterology CRC screening guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to include studies through October 2020.

The team strongly recommends CRC screening for average-risk individuals aged 50 to 75 years to reduce the incidence of advanced adenoma, CRC, and mortality from CRC.

Based on very low-quality evidence, they suggest CRC screening for average-risk individuals aged 45 to 49 years to reduce the incidence of advanced adenoma, CRC, and CRC mortality.

Based on very low-quality evidence, a decision to continue screening beyond age 75 years should be individualized.

Colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are strongly recommended as the primary screening modalities based on low-quality evidence.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy, multitarget stool DNA test, computed tomography colonography, or colon capsule should be considered for those unable or unwilling to undergo colonoscopy or FIT.

Recommendations for earlier CRC screening were detailed for individuals who have first-degree relatives with CRC or advanced colorectal polyps.

The team says despite the availability of multiple screening modalities and various public health initiatives to boost CRC screening, nearly one-third of the eligible U.S. population is unscreened.

CRC screening rates must be optimized to reach the aspirational target of > 80%.

If you care about colon cancer, please read studies about a new way to diagnose colon cancer and findings of a new cause of colon cancer.

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The study is published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. One author of the study is Aasma Shaukat, M.D., M.P.H.

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