The increasing incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in individuals under 50 prompts calls for proactive screening starting at age 40. Current modeling supports the cost-effectiveness of using fecal immunochemical tests and colonoscopy for this age group. Notably, some countries that have initiated screening below 50 have seen a reduction in EOCRC rates. Emphasizing early diagnosis is crucial, as over a third of symptomatic patients already face metastatic disease upon diagnosis.
Review by Waddell O, Keenan J and Frizelle F in ANZ J Surg
© 2024 The Author(s). ANZ Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.