Knowledge Base Article

Did You Know?

45 is the new 50 for colorectal cancer screening.

Why It Matters?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s indicated in their May 18, 2021 Final Recommendation statement for colorectal cancer screening that (link):

• It is estimated that 10.5% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in persons younger than 50 years,
• Incidence of colorectal cancer (specifically adenocarcinoma) in adults aged 40 to 49 years has increased by almost 15% from 2000-2002 to 2014-2016,
• In 2016, 25.6% of eligible adults in the US had never been screened for colorectal cancer, and
• In 2018, 31.2% were not up to date with screening.

What Can You Do?

There are five types of tests used to screen for colorectal cancer:

• Fecal occult blood test,
• Sigmoidoscopy,
• Colonoscopy,
• Virtual colonoscopy, and
• DNA stool test.

As a healthcare provider, be aware of Medicare’s colorectal screening coverage. According to the MLN Educational Tool Medicare Preventive Services (link), Medicare covers:

• Colorectal cancer screening using MT-sDNA and blood-based biomarker tests for patients with Medicare Part B who meet these criteria:
  • Aged 50-85 years,
  • Asymptomatic, and
  • At average risk of colorectal cancer risk.
• Screening colonoscopies, fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), flexible sigmoidoscopies, and barium enemas for patients with Medicare Part B who meet at least one criterion:
• Aged 50 or older at normal colorectal cancer risk (there’s no minimum age requirement for screening colonoscopies), or
• Are at high colorectal cancer risk.

Also, Medicare has published a National Coverage Determination (NCD 210.3) Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests (link). The most current iteration of this NCD became effective on January 19, 2021, to include blood-based biomarker testing as an appropriate colorectal cancer screening test based on specific criteria.

My first screening colonoscopy was performed when I was 45 years old. During the procedure a pre-cancerous polyp was removed. As a healthcare consumer, I encourage everyone to talk with your doctor to discuss your risk for colorectal cancer and the need for screening tests.