Q&A: Colorectal Cancer Early Screening for High-Risk Groups

Q: Who are considered “general risk population?”

A: Those who do not have the conditions below are considered “at general risk”:

1. Immediate family members with a history of colorectal cancer (including non-hereditary and hereditary colorectal cancer);
2. Personal history of colorectal cancer;
3. Personal history of intestinal adenoma;
4. Personal history of 8 to 10 years of unhealed inflammatory bowel disease;
5. Stool occult blood test is positive.

Q: At what ages does screening begin and end for the general population?

A: The recommended ages are:

• (Weakly recommended) The general population start cancer screening from age 40;
• (Weakly recommended) If one or more immediate relatives have colorectal cancer, cancer screening should start at 40 years of age, or 10 years earlier than the youngest patient diagnosed in the family;
• (Strongly recommended) People with low to intermediate risk start cancer screening between the ages of 50 and 75;
• (Strongly recommended) People considered to be high-risk start cancer screening between the ages of 40 and 75.