Research from the American Cancer Society shows that more people aged 45-49 are getting screened for colon cancer, leading to more early-stage diagnoses. Two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed significant increases in screenings among this age group, with a 12% rise in colorectal cancer incidence from 2019 to 2022. The recommended age for colorectal screening was lowered to 45 in 2018, resulting in a 62% increase in screenings among U.S. adults aged 45 to 49 from 2019 to 2023. While the findings are promising, there is still room for improvement as screening rates remain suboptimal and have not increased equitably across education and insurance status. Concerns have been raised about potential changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which plays a crucial role in guiding preventive health measures like cancer screenings.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/early-stage-colon-cancers-found-below-50-screenings/