6 recent reports on colorectal cancer
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Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease presents the following reports on the most recent research in colorectal cancer and screening for colorectal polyps.
These reports review a variety of relevant topics from stool DNA tests to how physicians can help improve screening rates among their patients.
When physicians get screened for CRC, so do their patients
Individuals are more likely to participate in colorectal cancer screening if their family physician has undergone screening, according to study results.
Amit X. Garg, MD, PhD, of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at Western University in Canada, and colleagues wrote in Gastroenterology that physicians play an important role in CRC screening uptake, and patients are much more likely to undergo screening if their doctor discusses it with them. READ MORE
Low-volume bowel prep still effective, but better tolerated
Low-volume, split-dose bowel preparations were just as effective as high-volume preps with the added benefit of being better tolerated by patients, according to the results of a metanalysis.
“Suboptimal patient compliance and acceptability have been attributed to the large volume of bowel preparation to be administered, affecting patient experience and willingness to repeat the procedure,” Marco Spadaccini, MD, of the digestive endoscopy unit at Humanitas Research Hospital in Italy, and colleagues wrote. “When considering patient experience as a relevant outcome of bowel preparation, low-volume [polyethylene glycol (PEG)] and non-PEG split regimens appear to be an attractive alternative, due to a substantial reduction in the volume to be administered.” READ MORE
Stool DNA test helps detect precancerous lesions in average-risk CRC population
Using a multitarget stool DNA test helped improve the sensitivity for detecting precancerous colorectal lesions compared with fecal immunochemical tests alone in an average-risk population, according to study results.
Gerrit A. Meijer, MD, PhD, of the department of pathology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and colleagues wrote that early detection of colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions is critical, and the accuracy of screening tests is an important determining factor in the success of screening programs. READ MORE
Serrated polyp detection rate tied to post-colonoscopy cancer risk
A higher serrated polyp detection rate was associated with a decreased incidence of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer, according to study results presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting.
Joseph C. Anderson, MD, MHCDS, FACG, of White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont, said the serrated pathway may account for as much as 30% of CRC, but the link with serrated polyp detection rate (SDR) is unclear. READ MORE
Weight parameters impact mortality in colorectal cancer
Obesity and underweight were associated with worse colorectal cancer outcomes, recurrence and mortality, compared with normal weight, according to results of a meta-analysis presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting.
“Obesity is thought to play a role in the underlying pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, but this mechanism is not fully understood,” Vita Jaspan, BA, fourth year medical student at NYU School of Medicine, said in her presentation. “In our study, we wanted to learn how weight impacts colorectal cancer prognosis.” READ MORE
Prevalence of advanced polyps similar at ages 45-49, 50-54 years
The increased prevalence of advanced adenoma and clinically significant serrated polyps was similar among age groups on both sides of age 50 years, suggesting that screening at 45 years optimizes colorectal cancer prevention, according to study results presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting.
Lynn F. Butterly , MD, of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, said that while the incidence of CRC among patients older than 50 years has decreased significantly, it has increased by more than 50% among patients younger than 50 years. READ MORE