Current Rates of Colorectal Cancer in Average-Risk Screening Are About 1 in 500
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Shaukat A, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Sep 18.
Older studies have suggested that the prevalence of cancer detected with average-risk screening colonoscopy is 0.5% to 1% or about 1 cancer per 100 to 200 screened individuals. However, more recent data suggest lower rates.
Consistent with the more recent data, a new study found cancer in 10 of 5291 screened patients for a cancer prevalence rate of 0.20% (1 in 500; 95% confidence interval, 0.08%-0.32%). The overall rate of advanced neoplasia was 10.3%. Prior colonoscopy was associated with a lower rate of advanced neoplasia than first-time colonoscopy (6.8% vs 12.4%).
COMMENTThese data are consistent with recent observations that we should expect about 1 cancer per 500 screened individuals in the average-risk screening population.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
Shaukat A, Marsh TL, Crockett SD, Syngal S, Bresalier RS; EDRN Consortium. Low prevalence of screen-detected colorectal cancer in an average-risk population: the new normal. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Sep 18. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2021.09.013)
