USPSTF: Start Colorectal Screening at Age 45 Years

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has, for the first time, recommended colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic adults starting at age 45 years.

The grade B recommendation, which echoes a 2018 recommendation from the American Cancer Society, was added in a draft update to the group’s 2016 recommendations, which called for screening of adults aged 50 years to 75 years (grade A). The USPSTF cited emerging evidence suggesting that incidence among younger adults is increasing in the US as their reasoning for including the new recommendation.

Specifically, the recommendation applies to individuals aged 45 years and older at average risk of colorectal cancer, including those with no history of adenomatous polyps or inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of genetic disorders predisposing them to higher colorectal cancer risk.

“The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that there is a moderate net benefit of starting screening for colorectal cancer in adults ages 45 to 49 years.”

The draft recommendations are available for public comment until November 23, 2020.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

US Preventive Services Task Force. Colorectal cancer: screening. October 27, 2020. https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening3