Early screening with endoscopy for colorectal cancer lowers incident risk: JAMA

USA: In a new study conducted by Wenjie Ma and the team, it was shown that beginning endoscopy before the age of 50 was related to a lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), including colorectal cancer detected before the age of 55. The findings of this study were published in the Journal of American Medical Association - Oncology. 

To address the rising prevalence of colorectal cancer in persons under the age of 50, the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force modified their recommendations to begin colorectal cancer screening at 45 years of age over the last four years. However, there is a paucity of empirical research examining the potential advantages of screening in younger groups. The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between endoscopy beginning at different ages and the risk of CRC in women in the United States.

The data for this prospective cohort study came from the Nurses' Health Study II, which tracked female health professionals in the United States from 1991 to 2017. From August 2020 through June 2021, data was analyzed. The major criterion was age at the time of beginning of sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for screening or symptoms. Pathology reports, medical records, and the National Death Index all indicate the occurrence of CRC. The cumulative incidence of CRC in each group was approximated using age as the time scale, and the absolute risk decrease associated with beginning endoscopy at various ages up to 60 years was determined. In the multivariable models, Cox proportional hazards regression was utilized, stratified by age and calendar year of questionnaire cycle, and adjusted for CRC risk variables.