CLINICAL ACTIONS:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common new site and cause of cancer death in the US. Screening is recommended for all patients 50 to 75 years of age, based on USPSTF guidance. There are currently multiple screening strategies available and professional guidelines may differ in approach.

The USPSTF recommends the following

Who to Screen

• Asymptomatic adults ≥50 years
• Average risk of CRC
  • No family history of known genetic disorders predisposing to high lifetime risk of CRC (e.g., Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis)
  • Note: An individual with a family history of multiple relatives with CRC, especially at an early age, may benefit from a genetic risk assessment for a heritable cancer syndrome
  • No personal history of IBD, previous adenomatous polyp, or previous CRC
• Along with the above, the American Cancer Society considers a personal history of radiation cancer treatment to the abdomen/pelvic area or a family history of CRC to be above-average risk factors for CRC

When to Screen

• Adults 50 to 75 years
  • Screen for CRC starting at age 50
  • Grade A recommendation | Offer or provide this screening
• Adults 76 to 85 years
  • Grade C recommendation | Offer or provide this service for selected patients depending on individual circumstances
  • Adults in this age group who have never been screened for colorectal cancer are more likely to benefit
  • Screening most appropriate for the following
    • Healthy enough to undergo CRC treatment if cancer detected
    • No comorbid conditions that would significantly limit their life expectancy

Screening Tests

Stool-Based Tests

Tests other than colonoscopies that can be used for screening of average risk patients

• Guaiac based Fecal Occult Blood test (gFOBT)
  • Annual
• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
  • Frequency: Annual
• FIT- DNA (identifies altered DNA and/or blood in stool)
  • Every 3 years

Direct Visualization Tests

• Colonoscopy
  • Every 10 years
• CT colonography (radiographic)
  • Every 5 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Every 5 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy with annual FIT (not commonly available)
  • Every 10 years

KEY POINTS:

Additional Guidelines

Represents the American College of Gastroenterology (2021)

• 50 to 75 years
  • “Recommend” CRC screening in average-risk individuals
• 45 and 49 years
  • “Suggest” CRC screening in average-risk individuals
• ≥75 years
  • “The decision to continue or discontinue screening in the elderly should not be solely based on chronological age but should also take into account health status, screening history, benefits and harms of screening, and values and preferences of the patient”
• Test selection
  • Primary screening modalities
    • Colonoscopy every 10 years or
    • Annual FIT
  • Second-tier for patients who refuse or are unable to undergo primary modalities
    • Multitarget stool DNA test every 3 years
    • CT colonography every 5 years
    • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 to 10
    • Capsule colonoscopy every 5 years
• Recommend against use of Septin 9 for screening

Canadian Guidelines (2016)

• 60 to 74 years
  • gFOBT or FIT every two years or
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years
• 50 to 59 years
  • gFOBT or FIT every two years or
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years
• ≥75 years
  • Recommend against screening

Note: Recommend not using colonoscopy

American Cancer Society (2018)

• 45 to 75 years
  • Screen with stool-based or direct visualization test
• 76 to 85 years
  • Base screening decision on
    • Personal preferences | Life expectancy | Overall health | Prior screening history
• 85 years
  • Should no longer get CRC screening

ACP (2019)

• 50 to 75 years
  • Screen average-risk adults for CRC
• Suggested screening tests and intervals based on discussion of “benefits, harms, costs, availability, frequency and patient preferences”
  • FIT or high-sensitivity guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing: Every 2 years
  • Colonoscopy: Every 10 years
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years plus FIT every 2 years
• >75 years or life expectancy ≤ 10 years
  • Discontinue screening

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Learn More – Primary Sources:

JAMA: Screening for Colorectal Cancer US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement: Colorectal Cancer: Screening

JAMA Clinical Guidelines Synopsis: Colorectal Cancer Screening

ACG Clinical Guidelines: Colorectal Cancer Screening 2021

Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults: A Guidance Statement From the American College of Physicians

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