National CRC Screening Summit

Christie

Pdf Summary

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), with over 17,000 members dedicated to advancing digestive health through innovative endoscopy, held its 2nd National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Project Summit in September 2025. Led by Dr. Jennifer Christie, the ASGE CRC Screening Project Advisory Council includes experts from leading institutions to guide efforts in enhancing CRC screening and follow-up care.<br /><br />Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with 154,270 new cases and 53,000 deaths estimated in 2025. Notably, 10% of cases occur in individuals under 50. Incidence and mortality rates are disproportionately higher among Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native populations. Despite increased overall CRC screening rates over the past decade, follow-up colonoscopy rates after positive stool-based tests remain unacceptably low at around 50%, particularly among uninsured and underinsured patients.<br /><br />The ASGE project’s major aim is to improve follow-up colonoscopy rates in underserved populations. The American Cancer Society recommends initiating average-risk CRC screening at age 45 using stool-based tests (FIT annually, gFOBT annually, or mt-sDNA every 3 years) or structural exams like colonoscopy every 10 years.<br /><br />The ASGE CRC Screening Project timeline includes three phases: foundation building in 2023, implementation through 2024-2025, and analysis combined with playbook development and policy advocacy in 2025-2026. Current efforts focus on screening patients in Georgia and Maryland, securing sustainable state funding for uninsured patients, and creating a free web-based playbook to boost CRC screening and follow-up nationwide.<br /><br />ASGE encourages collaboration and stakeholder engagement to develop sustainable solutions for increasing CRC screening equity and follow-up adherence, aiming to reduce cancer disparities and improve patient outcomes across the U.S.

Keywords

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Colorectal Cancer Screening

CRC Screening Project

Follow-up Colonoscopy Rates

Digestive Health

Cancer Disparities

Stool-based Tests

Underserved Populations

Cancer Mortality

Health Equity