Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations Released

New colorectal cancer screening recommendations have been released and approved by American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.

It is well known that early colorectal cancer screening can save lives, but there are still too many patients skipping the screening. Scientists are now offering too more tests and recommendations and urging everyone to have screened starting from age of 50. Those with family history inclined to the cancer may be advised by their doctors to get tested even earlier.

"Despite clear evidence that colorectal cancer screening saves lives and the existence of several effective tests, screening rates have lagged, costing thousands of lives every year," said Otis W. Brawley from American Cancer Society. "Our hope is that these new recommendations will help relieve some of the challenges health care providers have had in promoting screening to their patients and lead to more Americans preventing colon cancer by having polyps removed before they turn into cancer."

News tests are virtual colonoscopy that visualizes colon without a tube, and stool test that detects DNA changes caused by tumors. These tests are easy to perform and work for all with average risk for colorectal cancer.

Researchers urge everyone to take measures for detecting colorectal cancer in early stages following this schedule:

1. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

2. Colonoscopy every 10 years

3. Double contrast barium enema (DCBE) every 5 years

4. CT colonography (CTC) every 5 years