Colorectal cancer will account for an estimated 49,000 deaths in 2016. It’s currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. However, when caught early through screening procedures, the five-year survival rate is 90%. On June 15, 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines to better inform healthcare professionals and patients of best ways to detect colon cancer early.
Patients, starting at age 50–75, will see a substantial benefit from colorectal cancer screenings, according to the USPSTF guidelines. Moreover, the update qualifies new screening methods as acceptable procedures, including noninvasive stool-based tests. Although patients will have to submit fecal tests more frequently than other screening types, those procedures are far less involved than a colonoscopy and require much less preparation on the part of the patient. Fecal tests are administered at home and only require a follow-up visit if the results from the test are positive.
According to the USPSTF update, fecal testing received an A-level recommendation for screening. It now provides a new option for patients who might otherwise have been hesitant to undergo screening procedures such as colonoscopy. This classification also means that fecal testing will be covered under the Affordable Care Act and should be covered under most patient insurances.
The updated guidelines also address colorectal screening for patients aged 76–85. Previous guidelines recommended against screening for this age group, but the new information suggests that it should be addressed on an individual basis. According to the USPSTF, patients in this group who haven’t been screened in the past would most likely benefit from it, as long as they are in good health. Also, patients who are healthy enough to undergo a potential colorectal cancer treatment regimen and don’t have comorbid conditions that would significantly limit their life expectancy are recommended for continued screening.
Oncology nurses should educate their patients on the new, noninvasive screening opportunities available for colorectal screening. When early detection can make a huge difference, it’s important to keep patients informed and up to date on the latest guidelines and recommendations.