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Colorectal Cancer Screening

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Geriatric Gastroenterology

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects the elderly. In parallel, there is a growing group of older patients who have better life expectancy and are high utilizers of CRC screening resources. However, screening in older age groups is not well targeted to individual patients, with evidence of both overutilization and underutilization. While several screening options are available, there are age-dependent specifics to colorectal neoplasia and screening test performance which render colonoscopy the most important test to consider. In older patients, the benefits of early detection and prevention of CRC may be offset by higher risk of procedure-related harm and diminished health and life expectancy. Screening for CRC should ideally be targeted to elderly patients with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Guidelines recommend individualizing screening in adults aged 76–85 years based on overall health and prior screening history and foregoing screening in those 86 years and older.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Charles J. Kahi

  2. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Douglas K. Rex

Authors
  1. Charles J. Kahi
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  2. Douglas K. Rex
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Correspondence to Charles J. Kahi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Saint Peter's Healthcare System, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni

  2. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Wakefield Campus, Bronx, NY, USA

    T.S. Dharmarajan

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Kahi, C.J., Rex, D.K. (2020). Colorectal Cancer Screening. In: Pitchumoni, C., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90761-1_75-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90761-1_75-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-90761-1

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