The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently published its recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer on JAMA, concluding that screening is beneficial in average-risk, asymptomatic adults starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75 years (A recommendation). In adults aged 76 to 85 years, the decision should take into consideration the health and history of the patient (C recommendation).
Screening for colorectal cancer can reduce mortality, whichever strategy is employed, says the USPSTF. Seven different screening approaches are included in the recommendations, despite their difference in effectiveness and potential harm: colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical testing for occult blood (FIT), multitargeted DNA stool test (FIT-DNA), guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, sigmoidoscopy with FIT, and CT colonography. The economic impact of such a screening is not addressed either.
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