Colorectal Cancer Screening - Is it of any Use in India?
Is Colorectal Cancer Screening in India of Any Use?
The only other cancer left in our list for screening in a non-high-risk general population is colorectal cancer, i.e. cancer of the colon and rectum. The USPSTF recommends screening for all adults in the US between the ages of 50 and 75 with definite benefit and likely benefit for those between 45 and 50 years of age. This is because colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third commonest cancer in the US, most frequently diagnosed in the age group of 65 to 74 years with an incidence of 10.1% in those below the age of 50 years [1].
In India, colorectal cancer in 2020 accounted for 5% of all new cancers and 4.2% of all cancer deaths. It is the 6th commonest cancer by incidence and the 7th commonest causing deaths [2].
So would screening be of help?
