NCCN: Continuing Education
Target Audience: This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists involved in the management of patients with cancer.
Accreditation Statement NCCN
Physicians: National Comprehensive Cancer Network is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
NCCN designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses: National Comprehensive Cancer Network is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center‘s Commission on Accreditation.
NCCN designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 contact hour.
Pharmacists: National Comprehensive Cancer Network is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
NCCN designates this knowledge-based continuing education activity for 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEUs) of continuing education credit. UAN: 0836-0000-18-008-H01-P
All clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CE activity: 1) review the educational content; 2) take the posttest with a 66% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://education.nccn.org/node/83853 ; and 3) view/print certificate.
Pharmacists: You must complete the posttest and evaluation within 30 days of the activity. Continuing pharmacy education credit is reported to the CPE Monitor once you have completed the posttest and evaluation and claimed your credits. Before completing these requirements, be sure your NCCN profile has been updated with your NAPB e-profile ID and date of birth. Your credit cannot be reported without this information. If you have any questions, please e-mail education@nccn.org.
Release date: August 10, 2018; Expiration date: August 10, 2019
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
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Integrate into professional practice the updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening
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Describe the rationale behind the decision-making process for developing the NCCN Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
The NCCN staff listed below discloses no relevant financial relationships:
Kerrin M. Rosenthal, MA; Kimberly Callan, MS; Genevieve Emberger Hartzman, MA; Erin Hesler; Kristina M. Gregory, RN, MSN, OCN; Rashmi Kumar, PhD; Karen Kanefield; and Kathy Smith.
Individuals Who Provided Content Development and/or Authorship Assistance:
Dawn Provenzale, MD, MS, Panel Chair, has disclosed that she has no relevant financial relationships.
Samir Gupta, MD, Panel Vice Chair, has disclosed that he receives grant/research support from Epigenomics AG.
Dennis J. Ahnen, MD, Panel Member, has disclosed that serves on the speakers bureau for Ambry Genetics and is on the scientific advisory board for Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals.
Arnold J. Markowitz, MD, Panel Member, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships.
Daniel C. Chung, MD, Panel Member, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships.
Robert J. Mayer, MD, Panel Member, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships.
Scott E. Regenbogen, MD, Panel Member, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships.
Mary Dwyer, MS, CGC, Senior Manager, Guidelines, NCCN, has disclosed that she has no relevant financial relationships.
Ndiya Ogba, PhD, Oncology Scientist/Medical Writer, NCCN, has disclosed that she has no relevant financial relationships.
This activity is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca, Celldex Therapeutics, Celgene Corporation, Genentech, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Seattle Genetics, Inc. This activity is supported by independent educational grants from AbbVie, Merck & Co., Inc. and NOVOCURE.
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
Overview
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2018, an estimated 97,220 new cases of colon cancer and 43,030 new cases of rectal cancer will occur in the United States. 1 During the same year, it is estimated that 50,630 people will die from CRC. CRC risk assessment in persons without a known family history is advisable by age 40 years to determine the appropriate age to initiate screening, although in general, it is currently recommended that screening for persons at average risk for CRC begin at age 50 years. Individuals at average risk are those aged ≥50 years without personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, adenomas, or CRC; without a family history of CRC or advanced adenomas; and without symptoms such as rectal bleeding. Registry data from the SEER program suggest an increased incidence of CRC in African Americans prior to age 50 years, 2 which led to the recommendation by some in 2005
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2018
Version 1.2018 © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018, All rights reserved.
The NCCN Guidelines® and this illustration may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN®.
Citation: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, 8; 10.6004/jnccn.2018.0067
NCCN Categories of Evidence and Consensus
Category 1: Based upon high-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 2A: Based upon lower-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 2B: Based upon lower-level evidence, there is NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 3: Based upon any level of evidence, there is major NCCN disagreement that the intervention is appropriate.
All recommendations are category 2A unless otherwise noted.
Clinical trials: NCCN believes that the best management for any patient with cancer is in a clinical trial. Participation in clinical trials is especially encouraged.
Screening of average-risk individuals can reduce CRC mortality by detecting cancer at an early, curable stage and may decrease CRC incidence by detecting and removing adenomatous polyps. 4,11,12 Currently, patients with localized CRC have a 90% relative 5-year survival rate, whereas rates for those with regional and distant disease are 71% and 14%, respectively, demonstrating that earlier diagnosis can have a large impact on survival. 1 Current technology for CRC screening falls into 2 broad categories: stool/fecal-based tests and structural tests. 13 In the United States, colonoscopy is the most commonly used CRC screening test for average- and high-risk populations. However, multiple options exist, and the choice of screening modality may also include consideration of patient preference and resource availability. The updated NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for CRC Screening describe the various screening modalities currently available, as well as recommended screening schedules for patients at average or increased risk of developing CRC. The guidelines are intended to aid physicians with clinical decision-making regarding CRC screening for patients without defined genetic syndromes or a family history of CRC or advanced adenomas. These NCCN Guidelines Insights review the 2018 updates to the NCCN Guidelines, focusing on CRC screening modalities and schedules.
Summary of 2018 Updates and CRC Screening Modalities/Schedules
Stool/Fecal-Based Screening Tests
Two types of fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) are currently available: guaiac-based and immunochemical. More recently, a fecal test to assess for alterations in exfoliated DNA in combination with checking for occult blood has also become available. Abnormal results from any stool/fecal-based screening test are an indication for colonoscopy. The guaiac FOBT is based on the detection of pseudoperoxidase activity of heme in human blood, whereas the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) directly detects human globin within hemoglobin in stool. FIT has been shown to be superior in terms of screening participation rates and detection of CRC. 14–16 However, during the meeting to update the 2018 guidelines for CRC screening, the NCCN panel elected to retain guaiac FOBT as a stool-based CRC screening option because regular use been shown to reduce mortality from CRC, 17–19 and may remain a reasonable alternative when immunochemical testing is not available.
Guaiac FOBT
Direct evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows that low-sensitivity guaiac FOBTs reduce mortality from CRC. 17–19 In the Minnesota Colon Cancer Control Study, >46,000 participants were randomized to receive guaiac FOBT either annually or biennially or no screening. The study reported that the 13-year cumulative mortality from CRC per 1,000 individuals evaluated was 5.88 and 8.83 in the annual and unscreened groups, respectively; this 33% difference was statistically significant. 19 After 30-year follow-up, a CRC mortality benefit was seen in both the annual and biennial screening groups (annual FOBT: relative risk [RR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56–0.82; biennial FOBT: RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65–0.93). 20 In addition, long-term follow-up from the Nottingham trial showed that individuals randomized to the biennial guaiac FOBT screening arm had a 13% reduction in CRC mortality at a median follow-up of 19.5 years (95% CI, 3%–22%), despite a 57% participation rate. After adjustment for noncompliance, the reduction in CRC mortality was estimated to be 18%. 21 This reduction in CRC mortality using low-sensitivity guaiac FOBTs has been confirmed by a systematic review and meta-analysis of multiple studies. 22,23
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) defines the high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT as having a sensitivity for cancer >70% and a specificity >90%. 24 Although high-sensitivity guaiac FOBTs that meet these criteria have not been tested in RCTs, some studies have shown that high-sensitivity guaiac FOBTs have higher CRC detection rates when compared with low-sensitivity guaiac FOBTs. 25–27 The NCCN CRC Screening Panel recommends that only high-sensitivity guaiac tests be used.
Fecal Immunochemical Test
Unlike guaiac FOBT, FIT does not require dietary restrictions and a single testing sample is sufficient. A meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of FIT for CRC in average-risk patients found the sensitivity and specificity to be 79% (95% CI, 0.69–0.86) and 94% (95% CI, 0.92–0.95), respectively. 28 Comparative studies have shown that FIT is more sensitive than guaiac FOBT. 26,29–33 For example, one study demonstrated a higher sensitivity for cancer by FIT compared with a high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT (82% vs 64%). 26 A Dutch randomized study also demonstrated higher detection rates of advanced neoplasia using FIT (2.4%) versus guaiac FOBT (1.1%), although both were less sensitive for advanced neoplasia than flexible sigmoidoscopy (8.0%). 30 In addition, as seen in other trials, FIT had a significantly higher participation rate than guaiac FOBT in this trial. Following extensive literature analysis, an expert panel in Ontario concluded that FIT is superior to guaiac FOBT in both participation rates and detection of advanced adenomas and CRC. 34 Nonrandomized studies have also shown that FIT screening reduces CRC mortality. 35,36 In a large Taiwanese population-based study, 1,160,895 individuals aged 50 to 69 years were screened with 1 to 3 rounds of FIT and compared with an unscreened group. With a maximum follow-up of 6 years, a 10% decrease in CRC mortality was seen in the FIT-screened population (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.95). 35
After reviewing the evidence and considering the potential impact on patient access if guaiac FOBT was removed, the NCCN CRC Screening Panel decided to include a footnote in the 2018 version of the guidelines acknowledging the outlined advantages of FIT over guaiac FOBT, but noting that guaiac FOBT has been shown to decrease mortality from CRC and that high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT can be used as an alternative to FIT (see CSCR-2, page 941).
Although an ideal interval for CRC screening with FIT is unclear, data extrapolated from a modeling analysis demonstrated similar life-years gained when annual FOBT strategies were compared with colonoscopy every 10 years. 37 Currently, the guidelines recommend annual screening intervals using any modality after a negative finding by high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT and FIT. To determine whether this screening interval should be modified, the panel reviewed data from a population-based CRC study of 7,501 Dutch individuals randomly selected to receive 2 one-sample FIT screening rounds with intervals of 1, 2, or 3 years. 38 The total number of advanced neoplasia detected at repeat FIT screening was not impacted by the interval length within the range of 1 to 3 years. 38 The panel considered potential issues with increasing the interval, including impact on adherence to screening schedules and having discordant recommendations to those of the USPSTF and US Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF), 11,15 and decided to leave the recommended annual FIT screening interval unchanged. Future studies may shed light on this issue.
FIT-DNA–Based or Multitarget Stool DNA Test
A combined multitarget stool DNA and occult blood test (mt-sDNA) has emerged as an option for CRC screening (Cologuard, Exact Sciences Corp.). It screens for the presence of known DNA alterations (KRAS mutations, aberrant NDRG4 and BMP3 methylation) during colorectal carcinogenesis in tumor cells sloughed into stool, as well as occult blood as measured by immunoassay. A study that included 9,989 participants at average risk for CRC, each of whom underwent FIT, mt-sDNA testing, and a colonoscopy, found that the mt-sDNA test was more sensitive than FIT for detecting CRC (92.3% vs 73.8%; P=.002), advanced precancerous lesions (42.4% vs 23.8%; P<.001), polyps with high-grade dysplasia (69.2% vs 46.2%; P=.004), and serrated sessile polyps >1 cm (42.4% vs 5.1%; P<.001). 39 However, FIT had significantly higher specificity than the mt-sDNA test (94.9% vs 86.6%, respectively, among participants with nonadvanced or negative findings; P<.001), and many more participants were excluded because of problems with mt-sDNA testing (n=689) than with FIT (n=34).
The NCCN panel recommends inclusion of mt-sDNA–based testing as a potential screening modality in average-risk individuals, but data to help determine an appropriate interval between screening, adherence to/participation rates of screening, and how mt-sDNA testing may fit into an overall screening program are limited. A rescreening interval of every 3 years has been suggested and is FDA-approved. 40 Using a clinical effectiveness model, one study showed that, compared with a 10-year colonoscopy interval, annual mt-sDNA testing resulted in similar decreases in CRC incidence (65% vs 63%) and mortality (73% vs 72%). 41 At 3-year intervals, such testing was predicted to reduce CRC incidence and mortality by 57% and 67%, respectively. In addition, no or limited data are available for high-risk individuals who refuse colonoscopy or have limited access to conventional screening strategies 42 ; therefore, the use of mt-sDNA–based testing should be individualized in these cases.
Structural-Based Screening Tests
Structural screening tests detect both adenomatous polyps and cancer using endoscopic or radiologic imaging. Screening intervals for colonoscopy have been established for individuals at average risk of developing CRC, but intervals have been evolving for other modalities, including flexible sigmoidoscopy. During the 2018 panel meeting, the panel reviewed and discussed data related to flexible sigmoidoscopy screening strategies and schedules.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the most complete screening procedure and is considered the current gold standard for assessing the sensitivity of detecting neoplasia for other screening modalities. The general consensus is that a 10-year interval is appropriate for most average-risk individuals who had a normal, high-quality colonoscopy, defined as an examination complete to the cecum with bowel preparation adequate to detect polyps >5 mm. 43 Although no RCTs directly demonstrate mortality reduction as a result of colonoscopy, findings from case-control and cohort studies show that colonoscopy and polypectomy have a significant impact on decreasing CRC incidence and mortality. 44–47
Interestingly, in a Canadian case-control study that matched each of 10,292 individuals who died of CRC to 5 controls, colonoscopy was associated with lower mortality from distal CRC (adjusted conditional odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% CI, 0.28–0.39) but not proximal CRC (OR, 0.99; CI, 0.86–1.14). 48 Additional studies have also demonstrated a reduced effectiveness in the right versus left colon. 49,50 A population-based, case-control study in Germany demonstrated that colonoscopy in the preceding 10 years was associated with an overall 77% decrease in risk for CRC. 50 However, although risk reduction was strongest for distal cancer, a 56% risk reduction was also seen for proximal disease. A case-control study using the SEER-Medicare database also found that colonoscopies are associated with a decrease in death from CRC, and the association was strongest for distal over proximal CRC. 49,51 Some of these findings of a distal but not proximal risk reduction may be associated with variation in the quality of colonoscopy in alternative settings.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Evidence from RCTs have also demonstrated that flexible sigmoidoscopy reduces the incidence of and mortality from CRC. 47,52–58 The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening group reported CRC mortality rates from their RCT of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening, which screened >64,000 participants using this modality, and 59% of those participants a second time at 3 or 5 years. 56–58 A 26% reduction in deaths from CRC was seen in the screened group (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63–0.87; P<.001), with a 50% reduction seen in mortality from distal disease and no effect on mortality from proximal disease. 56 This strong effect was seen despite an estimated 46% contamination rate of sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the control arm, suggesting that the true benefit of screening is even greater.
The 2017 version of the NCCN Guidelines recommended flexible sigmoidoscopy with or without interval high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT or FIT at year 3 as a possible screening strategy. During the 2018 update meeting, the NCCN panel discussed changing the interval to annual FIT based on the results of a modeling study that proposed benefit from flexible sigmoidoscopy performed every 10 years with annual FIT. 59 The Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention (NORCCAP) Study Group performed an RCT of one-time flexible sigmoidoscopy with or without a concurrent FOBT versus no screening in >98,000 participants aged 55 to 64 years. 53 After 7 years of follow-up, the researchers reported no difference in the incidence of or mortality from CRC between screened and unscreened individuals. However, after 11 years of follow-up, the hazard ratio (HR) for death from CRC was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.56–0.94) in the screened groups. 54 Interestingly, the addition of FOBT did not affect the long-term outcomes of participants screened with sigmoidoscopy in this trial.
The SCORE trial randomized 34,272 individuals aged 55 to 64 years to one-time sigmoidoscopy or no screening and reported incidence and mortality results after >10 years of median follow-up. 55 The intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated a 18% reduction in incidence and a 22% reduction in mortality. In addition, a randomized study examined the effect of flexible sigmoidoscopy offered once between ages 55 and 64 years on CRC incidence and mortality. 52 Compared with the population that did not receive any screening, intention-to-treat analysis showed that intervention with flexible sigmoidoscopy decreased CRC incidence by 23% (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.70–0.84) and CRC mortality by 31% (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59–0.82). 52 The benefit of one-time sigmoidoscopy demonstrating decreased CRC incidence and mortality was sustained after 17 years of follow-up. 60 Although more data are warranted to determine the implications on screening, it is worth noting that some studies suggest that the long-term benefit of flexible sigmoidoscopy, in terms of decreased CRC incidence and mortality, may be more apparent in men and lower or undetectable in women. 60,61
Based on the relevant data, in the updated 2018 version of the guidelines the NCCN panel removed the interval screening with high-sensitivity guaiac FOBT or FIT at year 3, and added a footnote highlighting alternative strategies, including flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years with annual FIT or longer-interval flexible sigmoidoscopy without FIT 59 (see CSCR-3, page 942).
CT Colonography
CT colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is evolving as a promising alternative technique for CRC screening. CTC has the advantages of being noninvasive and not requiring sedation. However, extracolonic findings, which are present in up to 16% of patients, pose a dilemma because they have a potential for both benefit and harm. 62,63 Data to determine the clinical impact of these incidental findings are currently insufficient, and further investigation is required.
The accuracy of CTC in detecting polyps or cancers measuring ≥10 mm has been assessed in several studies, with generally high sensitivity. 64–66 In 2005, 2 meta-analyses reviewed the performance of CTC in the detection of colorectal polyps. 67,68 In one of these studies, CTC showed high average sensitivity (93%) and specificity (97%) for polyps ≥1 cm, both of which decreased to 86% when medium polyps (6–9 mm) were included in the analysis. 67 In the other meta-analysis, the sensitivity of CTC, although heterogenous, improved as the polyp size increased (48% for polyps <6 mm, 70% for 6–9 mm polyps, and 85% for polyps >9 mm); specificity was 92% to 97% for the detection of all polyps. 68 Other studies have assessed growth rates of colorectal polyps (6–9 mm) using CTC surveillance, 69,70 and determined that polyps 6 to 9 mm are unlikely to progress to advanced neoplasia within 3 years. 70 The current NCCN Guidelines for CRC Screening recommend rescreening with CTC in 3 years or colonoscopy if 1 to 2 polyps of 6 to 9 mm are detected. If ≥3 polyps are found or polyps are ≥10 mm, a subsequent colonoscopy is recommended. However, if the CTC screen is negative, the guidelines recommend rescreening with any modality in 5 years.
The radiation exposure risk of undergoing a single CTC screening procedure is unknown but likely very low, and no empirical data have shown increased risk at levels below an exposure of 100 mSv. 71 Using the screening protocol for the ACRIN trial, an estimated effective dose of low-dose CTC was projected to be 9 mSv for women and 8 mSv for men, corresponding to 5 radiation-related cancer cases per 10,000 individuals undergoing one scan at age 60 years. 72 The 2014 American College of Radiology practice guidelines for the performance of CTC in adults recommend the use of a low-dose, nonenhanced CT technique on a multidetector CT scanner to minimize radiation exposure to the patient. 73 Overall, available data indicate that CTC is useful for the detection of larger polyps. Data on optimal frequency, polyp size leading to colonoscopy referral, and protocol for the evaluation of extracolonic lesions are evolving.
Emerging Options: Blood-Based Screening Test
The methylation status of the septin9 (SEPT9) gene has been shown to distinguish CRC tissue from normal surrounding tissue, and circulating methylated SEPT9 DNA in plasma is a biomarker for CRC. 74–77 A multicenter study compared the FIT test and a SEPT9 DNA methylated blood test for CRC screening in 102 patients with identified CRC, and found that the sensitivity for CRC detection was not significantly different (68% vs 73.3%, respectively). 78 The PRESEPT study, a prospective multicenter study, assessed the accuracy of circulating methylated SEPT9 DNA at detecting CRC in 7,941 asymptomatic individuals aged ≥50 years who met screening criteria for average risk, and determined the sensitivity and specificity of the methylated SEPT9 DNA blood-based assay to be 48.2% and 91.5%, respectively. 79 An independent clinical performance analysis was conducted on plasma samples from the PRESEPT study using an updated SEPT9 DNA assay and determined that the sensitivity for detecting CRC was 68%, 80 an improvement over the previous report, 79 and the specificity was 80%. 80 Factors that may potentially negatively impact the performance of the SEPT9 DNA test have been suggested, including early-stage disease, age >65 years, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and arthritis. 81
A blood test that detects circulating methylated SEPT9 DNA is currently FDA-approved and may provide a potential alternative for individuals who refuse other screening modalities. However, a limitation remains the lack of sensitivity for advanced adenomas. Further, the interval for repeat testing is uncertain. On balance, the NCCN panel felt that there was insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of this assay.
Conclusions
Clinical decisions regarding recommendations for CRC screening modalities and schedules involve consideration of multiple factors, including age to initiate screening, efficacy, adherence, cost, and patient preference. During the 2018 meeting, the NCCN panel enacted important updates to the NCCN Guidelines for CRC Screening. Based on existing data, the panel agreed that FIT was superior to low-sensitivity guaiac FOBT, but also recognized the wealth of data supporting the benefits of guaiac FOBT in decreasing CRC incidence and mortality. Emerging data suggest long-term benefit of one-time flexible sigmoidoscopy, but more data are needed to consider screening intervals longer than 10 years. Overall, the availability of multiple screening modalities and evolving screening schedules may offer additional opportunities to decrease CRC incidence and mortality.
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