New Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening Published
The American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology jointly issued new consensus guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. These will be published in the May-June 2008 issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
This is the first time that virtual colonoscopy (also called CT colonography) and stool DNA testing have been included as appropriate screening tools. The guidelines were developed based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence and expert opinions.
The new guidelines are for individuals with an average risk of developing colon cancer and emphasize the need to screen patients for precancerous polyps. The tests recommended to screen patients for both cancer and preadenomatous polyps include:
- Colonoscopy every ten years, or
- CT colonography every five years (though there may be requirements for more screenings during the interval if preliminary studies are negative), or
- Double contrast barium enema every five years, or.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
Tests designed only to screen for cancer include:
- Stool DNA test (though the interval for screening is uncertain at this time), or
- Annual guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, or
- Annual fecal immunochemical test.
The authors note the incorporation of new screening modalities. They suggest that the availability of a wide array of screening options increases the likelihood that more people will participate in screening for colorectal cancer.
April 22, 2008 Related topics: Diagnostic, Surgery, Gastroenterology