Choosing the Right Test: Colorectal Cancer Screening Considerations
Not all FDA-approved screening tests are yet fully supported by guidelines, and PA Antequera clarifies these distinctions for clinical practice. She notes which tests can identify precancerous lesions and why that matters for prevention. Individualizing test selection means factoring in patient preferences, medical history, and practical considerations, while communicating clearly about pros and cons.
Key Takeaways:
- Only some tests detect precancerous lesions and can therefore help to prevent colon cancer in some cases.
- It is important to understand each patient’s concerns and preferences to help them choose the right test for them.
- Shared decision making has been shown to increase screening rates.
Speaker
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References and Additional Resources:
Indications, Contraindications, & Information. Cologuardhcp.com. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.cologuardhcp.com/risk-information
Liao Z, Guo JT, Yang F, Wang SP, Sun SY. Screening of colorectal cancer: Methods and strategies. World J Clin Oncol. 2024;15(7):799-805. doi:10.5306/wjco.v15.i7.799
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
Understanding Colorectal Cancer Screening Options – OHC. OHC – Oncology Hematology Care. Published March 28, 2022. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://ohcare.com/colorectal-cancer-screening-options/
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
Verma P, Cohen K, Berke EM. The effect of a shared decision-making process on acceptance of colorectal cancer screening. Ann Fam Med. 2022;20(1):89. doi:10.1370/afm.2765
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
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