Although the year 2008 is young, many exciting developments have already taken place that will continue to improve the detection and treatment of colorectal cancer.
A broad spectrum of health care organizations, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated their screening guidelines for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy every 10 years for average risk adults age 50 and over is still the gold standard for the detection and treatment of colorectal polyps and cancer. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and barium enemas every 5 years are still on the list, and virtual colonoscopy was added as well. In addition, newer tests for the detection of cancer were added as well. Stool DNA testing and immunologic stool blood testing were added to the standard guaic based tests as well. read more »
