Vital Signs: Aging: New Guidelines on Colorectal Screening

Oct. 6, 2008

A task force has recommended stopping colorectal cancer screening at age 75 for people who have no evidence of disease.

Lifestyle, screening key to cancer decline

BOSTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Healthier lifestyle choices and screening have contributed greatly to the 13 percent decline in U.S. cancer mortality since 1990, a researcher said.

U.S. colorectal cancer deaths down

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. study shows colorectal cancer deaths among men and women dropped 4.3 percent per year from 2002 to 2005, researchers said.

Colorectal cancer screening 'adequate'

HELSINKI, Finland, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Roughly four out of 10 colorectal cancers were detected in Finland by a colorectal cancer screening program using a fecal occult blood test, researchers say.

Minerals may reduce colon cancer risk

NASHVILLE, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Calcium supplements only reduce the risk of colon cancer recurrence if the ratio of calcium to magnesium is low, U.S. researchers suggest.

Genes might predict bowel cancer prognosis

MONTPELLIER, France, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- French medical scientists say they've identified patterns of gene expression that can predict response to treatment of advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

Blacks' risk of colon polyps greater

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said that colon polyps are more prevalent among black male and female patients, compared to white patients.

Theory of colorectal cancer risk revised

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've found failure to inherit a cancer-inhibiting gene from just one parent increases the risk of contracting colorectal cancer.

CT scans found effective for colonoscopy

BOSTON, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests computed tomographic colonography is an effective, less invasive option in screening for colorectal cancer.

Reminders increase colon screenings

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A computerized system that printed reminders for patients for colorectal cancer screening increased sceenings by 9 percent, U.S. researchers said.

Genetic cause of colorectal cancer found

CHICAGO, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've discovered a genetic trait that is likely the most common cause of colorectal cancer that's been found.

Prostate screens not for men 75 and older

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. panel of experts recommends against routine prostate cancer screening for men over age 75.

Two breast cancer screenings similar

BURLINGTON, Vt., July 30 (UPI) -- A population-based breast cancer screening program in Norway compared physician- and self-referrals in Vermont in detecting cancer, researchers said.

Colorectal cancer screening still too low

ATLANTA, July 14 (UPI) -- Only about half of U.S. men and women 50 and older receive the recommended colorectal cancer screening tests, government researchers said.

Study: Higher education, lower cancer risk

WASHINGTON, July 14 (UPI) -- Higher education is good for the mind, and new research by the American Cancer Society says it's good for the body as well.

Alternative colorectal cancer drug found

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 23 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've found a compound that effectively treats colorectal cancer but with fewer side effects than with a commonly used drug.