ASGE Postgraduate Course at ACG: Evidence-based Updates for the Practicing Gastroenterologist | October 2021-Screening and Surveillance for Colon Cancer in 2021 and Beyond

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Jennifer Christie discusses screening and surveillance for colon cancer. She begins by acknowledging the decline in colon cancer rates due to efforts by primary care doctors and others. However, she emphasizes that it is still a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, with 150,000 new cases and 53,000 deaths expected in 2021. Notably, 10.5% of these cases will occur in individuals under the age of 50, representing a 15% increase from 2002 to 2016. Dr. Christie also highlights disparities in screening rates and outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups. She then discusses the current guidelines and recommendations for screening, which have been evolving. For average-risk individuals, screening is typically recommended to start at age 45, with a variety of screening modalities available. The video also explores the benefits, limitations, and potential complications associated with different screening methods such as colonoscopy, stool-based tests, and CT colonography. Dr. Christie concludes by emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making with patients and providing resources for both physicians and patients to make informed choices about colon cancer screening.

Asset Subtitle

Jennifer A. Christie, MD, FASGE

Keywords

colon cancer

screening

surveillance

racial disparities

screening guidelines

shared decision-making