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Title: Study Recommends Colorectal Cancer Screening to Start at Age 50
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22A982.htm
Doctor's Guide
September 3, 2008

BETHESDA, Md -- September 3, 2008 -- Rates of colorectal adenomas increase sharply after age 50, thus screening for colorectal cancer at this age is suggested, according to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

"While colorectal polyps are rare in adults aged 30 to 50, our study reveals an increase in polyp prevalence with age and a dramatic increase in colorectal adenoma incidence occurring in adults over the age of 50," said lead author Francis M. Giardiello, MD, John Hopkins University, Bethesda, Maryland.

"Understanding the natural occurrence of colorectal polyps, especially in younger adults, is important to the development of colorectal cancer prevention strategies."

The study evaluated the large intestine of 3,558 autopsy subjects, aged 20 to 89 years, that had colorectal cancer undetected or unsuspected during life. Subjects were categorised by sex, race, and age in 10-year groups.

Location and number of colorectal adenomas detected was measured by using epidemiologic autopsy in individuals. Results were standardised to the general population.

Researchers also evaluated the large intestine of 1,001 individuals undergoing necropsy between the ages of 20 and 49 for the presence of adenomas.

The authors found the prevalence of colorectal polyps in younger adults increased from 1.72% to 3.59% from age 30 to 50. This rate sharply increased after age 50 with the prevalence of polyps ranging from 10.1% in the sixth decade to 12.06% in ninth decade.

The study results quantified the number of adenomas typically found in people aged less than 50 years. It is important to note that those with 2 or more adenomas aged less than 50 years represent unusual individuals who might merit closer colonoscopic surveillance for subsequent adenoma development. Regardless of age, adenomas were more prevalent in men than women.

In the general population, left-sided adenomas are most common, but among older adults (>= 50 years), who have more adenomas, there is a relatively greater prevalence of right-sided adenomas.


SOURCE: American Gastroenterological Association

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