Industry News | 01.07.25
Some Older Adults Find an Age Cutoff for Colon Cancer Screenings 'Unacceptable' — Here's Why Doctors Say It Exists
By NAMSS Staff
Health (12/30/24) Nelson, Cathy
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 40% of adults over age 50 believe they should still receive colon cancer screenings past the age of 75. "More than anything else, this research shows that many older adults are deeply skeptical of messages that ask them to stop getting colon screening tests like colonoscopies,” remarks Dr. Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, study co-author and a professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Healthy Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Experts suggest that routine screenings, such as colonoscopies, for the average-risk person should begin at age 45 to catch cancer earlier, but screenings after age 75 carry risks that outweigh the benefits. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and other groups recommend individualized screenings starting at age 75 and for people to stop getting screened at age 85.3, and the American College of Physicians recommends routine screenings end at age 75 for average-risk adults with no symptoms of colorectal cancer and with a life expectancy of no more than 10 years.
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