As colorectal cancer cases surge among younger adults, the American Cancer Society updates screening guidelines to include blood tests and recommends starting screenings at age 45.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has announced updated guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, emphasizing the importance of early detection. The new recommendations, published in the organization’s flagship journal, reaffirm that adults at average risk should begin screening at age 45 and continue through age 75 for those with a life expectancy exceeding ten years.
In addition to traditional colonoscopy, the ACS now recommends blood-based screening tests that can detect tumor DNA in the blood during a doctor’s visit. Furthermore, an at-home screening option is available, which tests for hidden blood and molecular markers in stool samples.
These updated guidelines reflect significant advancements in disease detection and represent a “critical shift in public health strategy” aimed at expanding screening options and reducing barriers to access, according to the ACS. Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of early cancer detection science at the ACS and senior author of the report, emphasized that colorectal cancer should be viewed as a “highly preventable disease as much as a treatable one.”
“By offering more screening tools in our guideline update, more eligible adults will be able to participate in lifesaving colorectal cancer testing, helping to close the screening gap and catch more cancers at an earlier, treatable stage,” Dr. Smith stated.
Research indicates that colorectal screening significantly improves survival rates, with studies showing that early-stage detection yields a five-year survival rate of over 90% in the United States. Despite this, approximately one in three American adults who are eligible for colorectal cancer screening have not undergone testing. The ACS highlights that colorectal cancer is the leading cancer killer among adults under 50.
For individuals at high risk of colorectal cancer, the ACS advises that screening may need to begin before age 45 or occur more frequently. Conversely, those over 85 years old should no longer be screened for the disease, according to the new guidelines.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, stressed the importance of screening for all demographics, particularly underserved, rural, and minority populations. “No matter which test you choose, what’s most important is to get screened,” he said.
The guideline changes come in response to a notable increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger individuals. Recent ACS research revealed a 50% relative increase in diagnoses among adults aged 45 to 49 from 2021 to 2022.
Dr. Aparna Parikh, medical director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at the Mass General Cancer Center, noted that experts do not fully understand the reasons behind this rise. “It seems to be an interplay of a person’s risk factors, overall makeup, and early exposures,” she explained. Factors such as dietary habits, environmental influences, antibiotic use, and lifestyle choices may contribute to the increased risk.
Another ACS study found that heavy and consistent alcohol consumption throughout adulthood could elevate the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Other known risk factors include family history, obesity, smoking, a diet high in red and processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and personal or family history of polyps.
While colorectal cancer may not present symptoms in its early stages, certain signs should not be ignored. Dr. Eitan Friedman, PhD, an oncologist and founder of The Suzanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, identified changes in bowel habits as a primary red flag for colorectal cancer.
Other concerning symptoms may include fatigue due to anemia, abdominal pain or discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, weakness, and unexplained weight loss. Awareness of these symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment.
As the ACS continues to advocate for increased screening and awareness, the hope is that these updated guidelines will lead to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes for individuals at risk of colorectal cancer, particularly among younger adults.
According to Fox News, the ACS’s new recommendations aim to address the alarming trends in colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger populations.