Catching It Early: Risk Factors and Screening For CRC
In this session, PA Antequera discusses the growing burden of colorectal cancer, which remains the third leading cause of cancer and is increasingly affecting younger adults. She reviews key risk factors, guideline-recommended screening starting at age 45, and why screening rates still lag behind national goals.
PA Antequera highlights the barriers that keep patients from being screened and explains how PAs can play a vital role in overcoming them. She also emphasizes that early detection through screening not only prevents cancer but can mean the difference between survival and loss for patients and their families.
Key Takeaways:
- Screening guidelines have lowered the age to begin screening for CRC to age 45.
- Screening rates are improving, but still lower than the goal of 80% in every community.
- In addition to screening, it is important to normalize conversations with patients about their stool and any other potential symptoms of CRC.
Speaker
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References and Additional Resources:
80% in Every Community. American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Published October 14, 2023. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://nccrt.org/our-impact/80-in-every-community/
2023 Lead Time Messaging Guidebook. American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Published November 21, 2023. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://nccrt.org/resource/2023-lead-time-messaging-guidebook/
Agunwamba AA, Zhu X, Sauver JS, Thompson G, Helmueller L, Finney Rutten LJ. Barriers and facilitators of colorectal cancer screening using the 5As framework: A systematic review of US studies. Prev Med Rep. 2023;35(102353):102353. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102353
American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf
Colorectal Cancer Is A Major Public Health Problem. American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Published October 14, 2023. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://nccrt.org/our-impact/data-and-progress/
Colorectum Cancer Statitistics At a Glance. American Cancer Society. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/
Rex DK, Boland CR, Dominitz JA, et al. Colorectal Cancer screening: Recommendations for physicians and patients from the U.s. multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(7):1016-1030. doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.174
Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK. ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening 2021. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122
Star J, Siegel RL, Smith RA, Schafer EJ, Jemal A, Bandi P. Trends in colorectal cancer screening in US adults aged 45 to 49 years. JAMA. Published online 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.10618
Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer. Cancer.org. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281. doi:10.3322/caac.21457
US Preventive Services Task Force, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(19):1965-1977. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6238
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