USPSTF Issues Final Recommendation for Colorectal Cancer Screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a final recommendation statement for colorectal cancer screening that now recommends that screening start at age 45. Screenings should continue until age 75 and for those older, the USPSTF continues to recommend that the decision to screen be made on an individual basis. 

These final recommendations apply to adults without symptoms and who do not have a personal history of colorectal polyps or a personal or family health history of genetic disorders that increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Black adults get colorectal cancer more often than people of other races and ethnicities and are more likely to die from this disease.

The disease is largely preventable through screening for colon polyps, which can be removed. In addition, as a result of screening, more colorectal cancers can be found earlier when the disease is easier to treat. However, only up to two-thirds of people who should be screened actually undergo appropriate colorectal cancer screening.

RSNA's Colon Cancer Screening Statement supports these recommendations, which are in line with the American Cancer Society recommendations for colon cancer screening.  

For More Information

Visit the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.