US Task Force Recommends Colorectal Cancer Screening Begin at 45

Dec 1, 2020 | Rebecca Williams | @rjwilliams | Comments (7)

The sad news of the death of “Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman at the age of 43 from colon cancer drew attention to the need for earlier screening, particularly for Africans and African Americans who carry a higher risk for colon cancer. On October 27, 2020, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent group of experts appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services, issued its draft recommendations that individuals should be screened for colorectal cancer beginning at the age of 45 based on increasing case rates and deaths in patients under age 50. This recommendation is now in the four-week public comment phase before they can develop a final recommendation. This recommendation by the Task Force is consistent with a 2018 recommendation from the American Cancer Society.

When people think of colorectal cancer screening, the first thought that comes to mind is a colonoscopy; however, the Task Force recommends a choice of screening methods for people based on personal preferences and availability. Screening can be conducted either via a high-sensitivity stool-based test (which must be followed up by a colonoscopy if the result is positive) or a structured visual test like a colonoscopy. This recommendation from this task force is commended for its potential to save lives, and there are several methods that can be used to screen for colorectal cancer, including:

  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: only examines half the colon
  • Colonoscopy: examines the whole colon, if found, polyps can be removed during a single exam
  • Computed Tomo-graphic Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy): not covered by many insurance plans
  • Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test: used to detect upper gastrointestinal bleeding but due to affects from proximal gastrointestinal bleeding, this test can lead to false-positives
  • Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): uses antibodies to detect human blood in the stool, detects some polyps
  • Multitarget stool DNA Test (MT-sDNA; Cologuard, Exact Sciences): used to detect both altered DNA and blood in the stool, detects many polyps

People may question the efficacy and accuracy of each test and wonder which is best. Effective screening is based on sensitivity, compliance, and access. The main barriers are compliance with recommended screening recommendations and access. It is best for people to discuss these various options with their physicians. All of these options are thought to reduce colon cancer deaths and improve high quality years of life, with good safety.

Advantages of FIT and MT-sDNA:

  • Noninvasive and simple enough for patients to perform at home without lost work time and fully covered by most insurance and Medicare
  • Sensitivity for early-stage colorectal cancer is virtually the same between a colonoscopy and the MT-sDNA test.
  • No preparation, diet, or medication restrictions

Disadvantages include:

  • Must be followed by a colonoscopy if there is a positive result
  • Must be performed more frequently
    • Every year for FIT
    • Every 3 years for MT-sDNA

Advantages of Colonoscopy:

  • The entire colon is examined by and expert, and if lesions are found they can be biopsied or removed during the same procedure

Disadvantages include:

  • Preparation, missed work time, variability of endoscopists’ skill, and temporary discomfort and embarrassment

Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2016 and fought this disease through surgery and chemotherapy while continuing to live and act in movies. He would have been 39 at the time of his diagnosis, well under the age of even these younger screening recommendations. However, these recommendations are a step in the right direction, and the Task Force’s recommendation of offering a choice of how people can be screened just may increase the compliance rate for screening and increase access. Early detection is key for colorectal cancer as this disease is preventable, treatable, and beatable.

Resources:

Connect with others talking about the colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, and supporting one another in the Colorectal Cancer support group.

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Gastroenterology & GI Surgery blog.

My son recently went thru the test at home mail it in. It tested positive so he had to go for colonoscopy. They found a pendicular polyp pre-cancerous. It was removed. FYI-he had liver transplant 5 yrs ago. His insurance didn’t pay for the colonoscopy because they had paid for the first test. I think there has to be a mistake?

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Figured the colonscopy was necessary to remove the polyp. The problem maybe how the medical office coded the procedure. I suggest contacting the insurance company for advice.

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It is absolutely NO SURPRISE to me that younger and younger people are getting colon and colo-rectal cancer.
The foods and drinks allowed by the FDA to be 'pushed' by marketing are full of carcinogens due to the man-made chemicals and food processing methods used in the foods and drinks that are ALL OVER standard grocery stores and in many restaurants, including especially 'fast food' restaurants. The list of these dangerous chemicals made by the tons daily is much too long to list here, as are the dangerous processes used to make many foods and drinks. Many Americans are doing all they can to avoid these dangerous foods. But many are not. Bottom line: THE FDA IS NOT DOING ITS JOB. The MD's don't mind: They get more sick people to treat and thereby get more income.

By the way, I opted one time to get the Cologuard test instead of a colonoscopy. The Cologuard test was negative. Two yeas later I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer.

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@tzveha

It is absolutely NO SURPRISE to me that younger and younger people are getting colon and colo-rectal cancer.
The foods and drinks allowed by the FDA to be 'pushed' by marketing are full of carcinogens due to the man-made chemicals and food processing methods used in the foods and drinks that are ALL OVER standard grocery stores and in many restaurants, including especially 'fast food' restaurants. The list of these dangerous chemicals made by the tons daily is much too long to list here, as are the dangerous processes used to make many foods and drinks. Many Americans are doing all they can to avoid these dangerous foods. But many are not. Bottom line: THE FDA IS NOT DOING ITS JOB. The MD's don't mind: They get more sick people to treat and thereby get more income.

By the way, I opted one time to get the Cologuard test instead of a colonoscopy. The Cologuard test was negative. Two yeas later I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer.

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@tzveha I totally agree with you. We are totally out of control with the chemicals in the foods and drinks in this country. And organic foods have been proven to be untrustworthy as well. Best bet to do is, go to your local farmers market. You'll be able to get all your fresh fruits and veggies. There's usually a slaughter house that will break down a cow, pig for you after you buy it (I know from experience-my parents) This is a great way to make sure you know exactly where your food is coming from and what it was treated with (type of fertilizer) etc.

I also did the cologuard, twice. Both came back normal. Non invasive, just alittle confusing to me. The directions weren't very clear to me. Needed a translator... and English is my only language!!!

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@kenc

Figured the colonscopy was necessary to remove the polyp. The problem maybe how the medical office coded the procedure. I suggest contacting the insurance company for advice.

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Poßibly coded as exploratory should have been coded simply as polyp removal. Would be suspicious in nature due to History. thus necessity for removal

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I had a colonostomy year's ago. But they said I was not clear enough to see anything. After drinking the entire jug and 3 enemas. Same with just the semsoid colon test. All my ct scans show I have a swollen colon and stool all through. I don't know how to get clean enough for a colonostomy. I am on a feeding tube into my small intestines. Why and how can I get a colonoscomy done? I have been so swollen and in pain. Any ideas? My gastroenterologist doesn't seem to have any. He just said I should not have them done?

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@bonez3861

I had a colonostomy year's ago. But they said I was not clear enough to see anything. After drinking the entire jug and 3 enemas. Same with just the semsoid colon test. All my ct scans show I have a swollen colon and stool all through. I don't know how to get clean enough for a colonostomy. I am on a feeding tube into my small intestines. Why and how can I get a colonoscomy done? I have been so swollen and in pain. Any ideas? My gastroenterologist doesn't seem to have any. He just said I should not have them done?

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@bonez3861, check out the tips from other members about successful colonoscopy preparation:
- Tips for successful prep before colonoscopy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/poor-prep-before-colonoscopy/

- Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-recently-failed-two-preps-for-a-colonoscopy-and-i-cant-imagine/

- Colonoscopy prep: make it easier
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/colonoscopy-prep-make-it-easier/

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