Journal of Digestive Cancer Research

Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research (대한소화기암연구학회)
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Colon Cancer Screening-Is It Necessary to Start under the Age of 50?

대장암 검진-50세 이하부터 시작하는 것은 필요한 것인가?

  • Jongbeom Shin (Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine)
  • 신종범 (인하대학교 의과대학 인하대병원 내과학교실)
  • Received : 2023.11.01
  • Accepted : 2023.12.11
  • Published : 2023.12.20
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Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. The occurrence of colon cancer can be prevented by removing precursor lesions. Several countries are making efforts to prevent the occurrence of colon cancer via screening programs. Korea is also following suite by screening individuals < 50 years of age. Currently, the incidence of colon cancer among the young is increasing globally, and Korea has a high colon cancer incidence rate among individuals in their 20s and 40s. Therefore, it may be necessary to start the screening individuals < 50 years of age to detect the cancer's manifestation early. Moreover, advanced adenomas associated with poor prognosis can be detected early, the overall screening rate can be increased, and death from colon cancer at a young age can be prevented. Although the period of colorectal cancer screening has been expanded, the overall colorectal cancer screening rate has not. Additionally, increasing the screening rate among individuals > 50 years could reduce the mortality rate at a lower cost. Although the incidence of colon cancer is increasing in younger individuals, the evidence to conclude that screening at the age of < 50 years has a meaningful impact on the incidence and survival rates of colon cancer remains insufficient. Therefore, rather than following the trend and performing screening early, an approach that actively selects cases where tests for colorectal cancer diagnosis are required is warranted.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1G1A1095241) and by Inha University Research Grant.

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