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American Gastroenterological Association position statements for colorectal cancer screening
Clinical Question
What is the role of screening for colorectal cancer?
Bottom line
No surprises here: The AGA wants more colorectal cancer screenings, and they want more money for them. They largely support the guidelines of the USPSTF, which suggest that individuals begin screening at ages 45 to 49 years. Given the lack of research evidence, I was hoping this group would provide expert guidance regarding the surveillance of patients with high-risk adenomas or advanced sessile serrated lesions. They don’t. I was also hoping they would give guidance on when to stop screening so as to avoid overuse. They don’t. 5
Reference
Study design: Practice guideline
Funding: Other
Setting: Not applicable
Synopsis
This guideline development group included gastroenterologists, researchers, a methodologist, and a family physician. Half the authors, including the co-chairs, declared extensive financial conflicts of interest. These are official statements (more than recommendations) from the American Gastroenterological Society (AGA), and several advocate for better access to and payment for screening services. The authors suggest screening with either colonoscopy or noninvasive approaches, similar to the recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The authors cite statistical models and research evidence that screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence and related mortality but, as with the USPSTF guidelines, do not account for the fact that this screening has not been demonstrated to decrease overall mortality.
Reviewer
Allen F. Shaughnessy, PharmD, MMedEd
Professor of Family Medicine
Tufts University
Boston, MA
Comments
Colorectal cancer screening
Reinforces my belief that screening should;d start earlier, at 45
Comments
It seems to convey that there are lots of politics involved.
AGA recommendations for colon ca screening
do not give enough guidance for screening