Even people who are not in diagnostics have probably heard that adults age 50 to 79 should get routine colorectal screening exams. But now that longstanding recommendation has changed. According to new guidelines from an international panel of researchers and experts that were published in The BMJ in early October, routine screening recommendations should be limited to individuals with an elevated level of risk rather than the entire age group. This represents a significant departure from current recommendations in most parts of the world.  Colorectal Cancer Screening One in 20 people in high-income countries get colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Actual risk is dependent on personal factors including: Age; Sex; Genetics; and Lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity and diet. Because risk increases with age, the global consensus is that people should start getting routine colorectal cancer screening once they reach a certain age. In most countries, the recommended age is 50 but in some countries it is as low as age 45. At age 50, the risk of developing bowel cancer over the next 15 years is typically 1-2%. The most common screening options are: Home faecal testing (FIT) every year or every two years; Sigmoidoscopy […]