USPSTF Recommends Screening for Colorectal Cancer Through Age 75

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines periodically. The USPSTF grades each of its recommendations according to a system described on the USPSTF website.

In 1996, the USPSTF recommended screening all older people for colorectal cancer. In a 2008 update, the USPSTF continues to recommend screening, using fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, beginning at age 50 and continuing through age 75. Recommendation: A (high certainty that the net benefit is substantial). The task force recommends against routine screening for people who are 76 to 85 years old. Recommendation: C (screening might be beneficial in an individual patient, but moderate certainty exists that t…