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Title: Risk of Colorectal Cancer Extremely Low 5 Years After a Normal Colonoscopy Screening
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22D3DE.htm
Doctor's Guide
September 22, 2008

OAK BROOK, Ill -- September 22, 2008 -- Among individuals with no colorectal neoplasia on initial screening colonoscopy, the 5-year risk of colorectal cancer is extremely low, according to a study appearing in the September 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The data provide support for rescreening at an interval of 5 years or longer after a normal colonoscopic examination.

"This research is very significant as it is the first large study to provide direct rescreening data on a group of average risk patients who had normal findings on the initial screening colonoscopy," says John L. Petrini, MD, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), Oak Brook, Illinois.

"As a result, physicians should consider this important finding when recommending a rescreening schedule to their patients, as these data could have an impact on the costs of colonoscopy and the resources to provide for colonoscopy. There are data suggesting that the procedure may be performed too frequently."

Thomas F. Imperiale, MD, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, and colleagues examined 1,256 asymptomatic patients aged 50 years or older, who had no precancerous or cancerous findings on baseline colonoscopy and who underwent follow-up colonoscopy at 5 years.

Among this patient population, no cancers were discovered. Advanced adenomas were found in 16 patients (1.3%).

The ASGE and American Cancer Society recommend repeat colorectal cancer screening in patients with average risk every 10 years if they have no symptoms or family history risk. While these data do not directly evaluate the 10-year recommendation, it does establish that colonoscopy screening does not need to be repeated before 5 years for average risk individuals.

"This is excellent news and reinforces the importance of colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 50, or even younger if there is a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps," says Dr. Petrini.

SOURCE: American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

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