To better inform physicians and patients and increase their understanding of the benefits of colorectal cancer screening, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a new guidance statement for colorectal cancer screening. The guidance statement appears in the March 6 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
“The American College of Physicians encourages adults to get screened for colorectal cancer starting at the age of 50,” said Virginia L. Hood, MBBS, MPH, FACP, president of ACP. “Only about 60% of American adults aged 50 and older get screened, even though the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening in reducing deaths is supported by the available evidence.”
ACP recommends that all adults receive an individualized risk assessment for colorectal cancer from their physician. Furthermore, physicians should screen for colorectal cancer in average risk adults starting at the age of 50. High-risk adults should screen for colorectal cancer starting at the age of 40 or 10 years younger than the age at which the youngest affected relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women in the United States. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include increasing age, race, personal history of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or a family history of colorectal cancer.
“We encourage patients to engage in shared decision making with their physician when selecting a colorectal cancer screening test so that they understand the benefits and harms,” said Hood. “The success of any screening program, especially colorectal cancer screening, is dependent on the appropriate testing and follow-up of patients with abnormal screening results as well as following up with patients for repeat testing at designated intervals.”
Source: ACP.