SouthernWorldwide.com – The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, introducing new recommendations that include blood-based tests and at-home options.
The organization announced the update in its primary journal, reaffirming that adults at average risk should commence screening at age 45 and continue through age 75, provided they have a life expectancy exceeding 10 years.
Beyond the traditional colonoscopy, the ACS now endorses the use of blood-based screening tests administered in a doctor’s office. These tests are designed to detect tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream.
Additionally, the ACS suggests an at-home screening method that analyzes stool samples for the presence of hidden blood and specific molecular markers.
These revised guidelines reflect recent progress in disease detection and signify a strategic shift in public health aimed at broadening screening accessibility and minimizing barriers to testing.
Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of early cancer detection science at the ACS and lead author of the report, emphasized that colorectal cancer is both highly preventable and treatable.
He stated that by offering a wider array of screening tools, more eligible adults can participate in life-saving tests, thereby reducing the screening gap and enabling earlier detection of cancers when they are most treatable.
According to the ACS, colorectal cancer screening significantly enhances survival rates. Studies indicate that early-stage detection in the U.S. leads to a five-year survival rate exceeding 90%.
Despite this, approximately one in three eligible American adults have not undergone screening. ACS research highlights colorectal cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among adults under 50.
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Individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer may need to start screening before age 45 or undergo more frequent testing, the ACS advises. Conversely, those over 85 years old are no longer recommended for screening.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, stressed the paramount importance of getting screened, irrespective of the chosen test. He particularly highlighted the need to reach underserved, rural, and minority populations.
These updated guidelines come in the wake of a notable increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger individuals. Recent ACS research indicated a 50% relative rise in diagnoses among adults aged 45 to 49 between 2021 and 2022.
Dr. Aparna Parikh, medical director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at Mass General Cancer Center, who is not affiliated with the ACS, noted that the exact reasons for this surge are not yet fully understood by experts.
Another recent study by the ACS suggested that consistent and heavy alcohol consumption throughout adulthood could elevate the risk of colorectal cancer.
Other established risk factors for colorectal cancer include a family history of the disease, obesity, smoking, a diet rich in red and processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and a personal or family history of polyps.
While early-stage colorectal cancer may often present without symptoms, experts caution that certain signs should not be ignored.
These potentially overlooked symptoms include fatigue stemming from anemia, persistent stomach pain or abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, general weakness, and unexplained weight loss.
