Colorectal cancer screening in Australia: An update

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• General Practice

Background:

• Colorectal cancer is Australia's second most common cancer.
• The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has updated guidelines for colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, and management.
• General practitioners (GPs) are crucial for advocating, risk stratifying, and implementing colorectal cancer screening based on individual patient risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the NHMRC screening recommendations for application in general practice.
• To provide GPs with clear guidance on colorectal cancer screening protocols.

Main Methods:

• Summarization of NHMRC guidelines.
• Focus on screening strategies applicable to primary care settings.

Main Results:

• The recommended population screening strategy in Australia is the immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT).
• iFOBT should commence at age 50 for asymptomatic individuals without a family history of colorectal cancer.
• Screening with iFOBT is recommended every two years until age 74.
• Aspirin use should be considered for colorectal cancer prevention in patients aged 50–70 years.
• Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer require tailored risk stratification.

Conclusions:

• General practitioners should implement the NHMRC screening recommendations.
• Early detection and prevention strategies for colorectal cancer are vital in primary care.
• Risk stratification and appropriate screening protocols are essential for managing colorectal cancer risk.