Colonoscopy as a Triage Screening Test

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in the United States is approximately 5%. Clinical symptoms develop late in the course of the disease, and precursor lesions (adenomas) can be easily detected and removed. The disease is a candidate for early detection and prevention by screening. This issue of the Journal features two important studies that shed light on a number of interesting features in screening for colorectal cancer.^1,2 Zauber and colleagues present long-term follow-up data on mortality from colorectal cancer from the National Polyp Study.¹ After a mean period of . . .