Benefits of Lowering Bowel Cancer Screening Age to 45 in the US

Recent research highlights the potential advantages of lowering the recommended age for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening from 50 to 45 years in the United States. An increasing incidence of local-stage colorectal cancer in adults aged 45 to 49 has been observed, particularly between 2019 and 2022, with a significant 50% rise in cases from 2021 to 2022. This surge may be linked to the implementation of earlier screening guidelines, prompting many asymptomatic individuals to be diagnosed earlier. Concurrently, screening participation among adults aged 45 to 49 has increased from 2019 to 2023, which is promising because screening is proven to reduce mortality by identifying and removing precancerous lesions before they develop into invasive cancer.

A key aspect of this research involved a randomized clinical trial investigating effective outreach strategies for this age group. The study found that active engagement approaches, such as targeted messages via electronic health portals, were less effective than straightforward, unsolicited mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). Despite these efforts, overall screening rates remain low, emphasizing the need for optimized strategies to encourage screening in young adults.

Published in the journal JAMA, these studies underscore the importance of early detection in decreasing colorectal cancer cases and deaths, and support the continuation of efforts to improve screening compliance among younger populations. The findings advocate for policy adaptations and targeted education to ensure more adults are screened early, ultimately saving lives.

For more detailed information, the original studies can be accessed via JAMA's publications.