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Guidelines for Screening and Surveillance for the Early Detection of Colorectal Polyps and Cancer, by Risk Category.

Recommendations for Average Risk Adults 50+ (i.e., Men and women without moderate and high risk characteristics as described in the next section) (age 45+ to be considered for African Americans).

Fecal Occult Blood Test x 3 (FOBT) Annual, beginning at age 50
 with Flexible Sigmoidoscopy/Barium Enema

 

Every 5 years
     Preferred Method is:  
Colonoscopy Every 10 years beginning at age 50 (age 45 for African Americans).
Alternative is :  Virtual CT  colonography  (intervals not yet determined). Risk of radiation exposure. Not a covered service.
Colonoscopy is  a covered service under Medicare and many private health insurance plans.

Guidelines for Moderate risk adults ages 50 and older:
One first degree relative with colorectal cancer diagnosed  at age 60 or older.  Start screening at age 40 then every 10 years.


Personal History of single, small <1cm adenomatous polyp Total colonoscopy followup at 3-5 years.
Personal History of large >1cm or multiple adenomatous polyps of any size. Total colonoscopy followup within 3 years of initial polyp removal

 

Personal history of curative-intent resection of colorectal cancer resection. Total colonoscopy within 1 year of resection then at 3 years postop.

 

Colorectal cancer in other relatives (not first degree)

 

Family history of pre-cancerous

polyps should be individualized.

Follow recommendations for average risk individuals.

 

 Consider guidelines similar to family history of colon cancer.

HIGH RISK
Colorectal cancer, or adenomatous polyps, in first degree relative younger than 60, or in 2+ first degree relatives of any ages. First degree= mother/father/brother/sister/child Total colonoscopy every 3-5 years. beginning at age 40 or ten years prior to the age of diagnosis of the youngest  affected relative, whichever is earlier.  No alternative is considered adequate.
 
Family history of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Early surveillance with endoscopy, counseling to consider genetic testing, and referral for specialty care at puberty.
Family history of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Cancer Syndromes (HNPCC) Colonoscopy and counseling to consider genetic testing at age 21
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis). Colonoscopy with biopsies for dysplasia 7-10 years after the start of pancolitis; 12-15 years after the start of left-sided colitis. Followup colonoscopy with biopsies  every 1-2 years.