U.S. diagnoses of early-stage colorectal cancers rose steeply among 45- to 49-year-olds during 2019 to 2022, after new guidelines called for screening in that age group, according to new research from the American Cancer Society published in JAMA.
The surge included a 50% relative increase from 11.7 to 17.5 cases per 100,000 people of that age from 2021 to 2022, researchers found.
The increase in diagnoses was largely attributable to detection of early-stage tumors, which increased by 18.8% annually from 2019 to 2022 for colon cancers and by 25.1% per year for rectal cancers.
The finding "is promising news because the uptick of cases is likely due to first-time screening in the wake of new recommendations for younger average-risk adults to begin testing for colorectal cancer earlier," study leader Elizabeth Schafer of the ACS said in a statement.
Earlier detection of these cancers often leads to better outcomes for patients, health experts say.
The recommended age to begin colorectal cancer screening was lowered to 45 from 50 years by the ACS in 2018 and by the United States Preventive Services Task Force in 2021.
A second study in JAMA found that colorectal cancer screening among U.S. adults 45-49 years of age increased by 62% from 2019 to 2023.
"It's not only thrilling to see the increase in colorectal cancer screening among younger adults, but also how it likely ties into rises in earlier stage diagnosis as noted in the other ACS led paper," Jessica Star of the ACS, who led the second study, said in a statement.
"However, we still have a long way to go. Screening for colorectal cancer in ages 45-49 remains suboptimal and has not increased equitably by both" education and insurance coverage status.
A third paper in JAMA reports on a randomized trial testing various methods for encouraging more screening.
Among 20,500 participants, sending an unsolicited stool test kit by mail was the most effective way to boost screening rates for adults ages 45 to 49 years.
However, those authors said, "overall screening rates were low, underscoring the need for more effective strategies to engage this age group."
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