Colorectal Cancer Screening

Publication Date: July 3, 2017
Last Updated: December 16, 2022

Diagnosis

The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF) recommends that clinicians offer CRC screening beginning at age 50 ( High , Strong )
(See below for adjustments in recommended age for onset of screening based on race and family history.)
612
The USMSTF suggests that sequential offers of screening tests, offering multiple screening options, and risk-stratified screening are all reasonable approaches to offering screening ( Low , Conditional (weak) )
612
The USMSTF recommends colonoscopy every 10 years or annual FIT as first-tier options for screening average-risk persons for colorectal neoplasia. ( Moderate , Strong )
612
The USMSTF recommends that physicians performing screening colonoscopy measure quality, including the adenoma detection rate. ( High , Strong )
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The USMSTF recommends that physicians performing FIT monitor quality. ( Low , Strong )
The recommended quality measurements for FIT programs are detailed in a prior publication.
612
The USMSTF recommends CT colonography every 5 years or FIT–fecal DNA every 3 years. ( Low , Strong )
612
or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5–10 years. ( High , Strong )
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The USMSTF suggests that capsule colonoscopy (if available) is an appropriate screening test when patients decline colonoscopy, FIT, FIT–fecal DNA, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. ( Low , Conditional (weak) )
612
The USMSTF suggests against Septin 9 for CRC screening. ( Low , Conditional (weak) )
612
The USMSTF recommends that screening begin in non–African American average-risk persons at age 50 years. ( Moderate , Strong )
612
The USMSTF suggests that screening begin in African Americans at age 45 years. ( Very Low , Conditional (weak) )
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The USMSTF recommends that adults age <50 years with colorectal bleeding symptoms (hematochezia, unexplained iron deficiency anemia, melena with a negative upper endoscopy) undergo colonoscopy or an evaluation sufficient to determine a bleeding cause, initiate treatment, and complete follow-up to determine resolution of bleeding. ( Moderate , Strong )
612
The USMSTF suggests that persons who are up-to-date with screening and have negative prior screening tests, particularly colonoscopy, consider stopping screening at age 75 years or when life expectancy is <10 years. ( Low , Conditional (weak) )
612
The USMSTF suggests that persons without prior screening should be considered for screening up to age 85, depending on consideration of their age and comorbidities. ( Low , Conditional (weak) )
612

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Authoring Organizations

American College of Gastroenterology

American Gastroenterological Association

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Publication Month/Year

July 3, 2017

Last Updated Month/Year

November 6, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Laboratory services, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D003113 - Colonoscopy, D055088 - Early Detection of Cancer

Keywords

colorectal cancer, fecal immunochemical test (FIT), colonoscopy, CRC, cancer screening, FIT

Source Citation

Rex DK, Boland CR, Dominitz JA, Giardiello FM, Johnson DA, Kaltenbach T, Levin TR, Lieberman D, Robertson DJ. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommendations for Physicians and Patients From the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(7):1016-1030.

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement, Data Supplement

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
245
Literature Search Start Date
August 1, 2016
Literature Search End Date
October 1, 2020