New screening recommendations for colorectal cancer

Editor's Note

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated the 2008 recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.

The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75 (A recommendation).

The decision to screen adults 76 to 85 years should be an individual one, taking into consideration the patient’s overall health and prior screening history (C recommendation).

Multiple screening strategies are available to choose from, with different levels of evidence to support their effectiveness, advantages, and limitations.

The USPSTF bases its recommendations on the evidence of benefits and harm and an assessment of the balance, and not costs. However, the USPSTF notes that policy and coverage decisions should be considered in addition to benefits and harm.

This Recommendation Statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years (A recommendation) and recommends that for adults aged 76 to 85 years the decision to screen for colorectal cancer should...