The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) advises black men and women with average risk factors to begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. Further Studies Needed to Determine Ethnicity-Based Screening Protocol for H. pylori
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) advises black men and women with average risk factors to begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45.
These new guidelines issued by the society’s standard of practice committee, were published in June’s GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and reported in Medpage Today. The recommendation is consistent with those from the American College of Gastroenterology.
Prior studies have shown differences along racial lines. These include greater mortality from colorectal cancer, a younger age at onset, a larger proportion of cancers appearing before age 50, and screening rates that are lower in black adults when compared to white adults.
The guidelines’ authors noted that there are many possible reasons for the phenomenon, including societal and biological differences. The ASGE issued the guidelines to bring attention to the differences in GI disease patterns along ethnic lines.
Other suggestions of the report include further studies of ethnicity-based Helicobacter pylori screening (to reduce the risk of gastric cancer) before making recommendations based on race and ethnicity.