Screening colorectal cancer--rational guidelines

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in The United States. It affects men and women equally and increases with the age of the population. The adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence presents a unique opportunity for interdiction in the progression to colorectal cancer. Our screening and surveillance recommendations are cost effective and reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. Most of our progress in the last decade has come from the screening and surveillance of high risk categories of patients for colorectal cancer. If progress is to continue, we must carry our message to the general population with average risk factors which constitutes 75% of colorectal cancer.