Developments in Screening Tests and Strategies for Colorectal Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality globally and in the US.
• Screening has significantly reduced CRC incidence and mortality rates.
• CRC screening is crucial for early detection and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current colorectal cancer (CRC) screening modalities.
• To identify emerging technologies and their potential impact on CRC screening.
• To provide an overview of the landscape of CRC screening methods.

Main Methods:

• Conducted literature searches on PubMed for CRC screening methods (stool, endoscopic, radiologic, serum).
• Included news searches from Medscape and Google News for broader coverage.
• Categorized screening approaches for comprehensive analysis.

Main Results:

• Colonoscopy is the established gold standard and most common CRC screening method in the US.
• Fecal occult blood tests are widely used globally; at-home fecal DNA screening is now approved.
• Radiologic methods are underutilized; serum tests are primarily experimental but advancing.

Conclusions:

• Colonoscopy is expected to remain the dominant CRC screening method in the near future.
• Ongoing innovation is driven by the limitations of current screening modalities.
• Advancements in stool-based and other tests promise improved CRC detection and patient outcomes.