USPSTF recommends CRC screening for 50- to 75-year-olds

(HealthDay)—The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer (CRC) screening starting at age 50 years and continuing through age 75 years. These findings form the basis of a draft recommendation statement, published Oct. 5 by the USPSTF.

Researchers from the USPSTF conducted a systematic review of the evidence relating to screening for CRC. They examined the effectiveness or comparative effectiveness of screening tests on CRC incidence and mortality; diagnostic accuracy of screening tests; and harms of screening.

The USPSTF recommends CRC screening for adults aged 50 to 75 years; variation was seen in the risks and benefits of different screening methods (grade A recommendation). For adults aged 76 to 85 years, the decision to screen for CRC should be an individual one based on patient health and prior screening history (grade C recommendation). The draft recommendation statement is available for public comment from Oct. 6 through Nov. 2.

"Colorectal cancer screening is a very effective, but underused, health promotion strategy in the United States," USPSTF member, Douglas K. Owens, M.D., said in a statement. "The evidence is clear that adults ages 50 to 75 years will substantially benefit from getting screened, but about one-third of these people have never done so."