New Brunswick, N.J., October 28, 2020 – The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has put forth a draft recommendation for colorectal cancer screening to start at age 45. The current guideline for those at average risk is to begin screening at age 50. The updated guidelines, currently under review, consider the benefits of early detection and treatment for adults with no personal history or increased risk of the disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 43,300 new cases of colorectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year with about 53,200 deaths from this disease. Colorectal cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the nation. Colorectal cancer usually does not cause any symptoms until it is advanced and starts to spread through the body. Most colorectal cancers can be prevented through regular screening through detection and removal of polyps, so it is important to follow the recommended guidelines.
The following clinical expert from the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is available for comment on this topic:
Howard S. Hochster, MD, is the associate director for Clinical Research and director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey; director of Oncology Research at RWJBarnabas Health; and distinguished professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Hochster is also the chair of the Gastrointestinal Committee of the SWOG cooperative group that develops and manages cancer clinical trials with cancer research partners nationwide. Along with discussing the updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines, Dr. Hochster can also discuss risk factors, current treatments and the latest in research and treatment for the disease.
