Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. The incidence of colorectal cancer increases at age 50, approximate ly. Risk factors that have been identified include a personal history of co lorectal cancer or adenomas, a family history of colon cancer or adenomas, inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, and long standing inflammatory bowel disease. Several screening tests have been developed for colorectal cancer prevention. Surveillance strategy is based on an individual's colorectal c ancer risk. This article reviews fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmo idoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema, and genetic testing.