The American Cancer Society has updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines, now recommending blood-based tests and at-home stool sampling in addition to colonoscopy for average-risk adults starting at age 45.
Dr. Robert Smith, the ACS senior vice president for early cancer detection, says the goal is to close the screening gap and catch more cancers early. Early-stage detection yields a five-year survival rate over 90%.
The update follows a 50% rise in diagnoses among adults aged 45 to 49 between 2021 and 2022. Experts remain uncertain why cases are increasing in younger populations.
Key symptoms include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Risk factors include family history, obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and a diet high in red and processed meats.