CRC Screening Should Begin a Decade Earlier for People with Multiple Risk Factors

People with multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) reached the standard benchmark risk for screening about a decade earlier than their peers without risk factors, according to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to CRC screening that does not account for CRC risk factors is not conducive to personalized screening,” explained a research team from China in the study background. “Based on the principle of ‘equal management of equal risks,’ we aimed to tailor and validate risk-adapted starting ages of CRC screening for individuals with different CRC risk factors.”

The standard starting age for CRC screening in China is 50 years for people of average risk.

Researchers used a community-based population cohort of 3.2 million people to evaluate the starting age of CRC screening with comprehensive risk factor consideration and employed 10-year cumulative risk curves to determine when people at greater risk reached the same risk level as the general population.

According to the results, women with multiple risk factors reached the standard benchmark for risk (0.28%) for screening 13 years earlier the general population. Men with multiple risk factors reached the benchmark for screening 8 years earlier than the general population.

Family history of CRC, adverse lifestyle, and comorbidities were all associated with increased CRC risk, the study found.

“Earlier, personalized screening based on these findings could allow for scarce health resources to be dedicated to individuals who [will] benefit most,” researchers advised.

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference

Dong X, Luo Z, Wu Z, et al. Risk-adapted starting age for personalized colorectal cancer screening: validated evidence from national population-based studies. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online November 17, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.11.005