New USPSTF Cancer Screening Guidelines: Less Is More

Based on evidence from a systematic review and a simulation model, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against colon cancer screening for people older than 85, because harms outweigh benefits. For people between 76 and 85, the task force also generally recommended against such screening, although it noted that a small benefit might be realized for some individuals (JW Oct 28 2008). In contrast to medical specialty society recommendations that were published earlier this year (JW Mar 27 2008), the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend stool DNA testing or computed tomographic (CT) colonography. In a simulation model, older less-invasive tests were as effective as colonoscopy performed at 10-year intervals. …