Do You Need Colonoscopy at 75?

A colonoscopy can detect and remove malignant growths in the colon, but a recent study reveals that after the age of 75, it may not provide any cancer preventive benefit.

A study of more than 1.4 million Medicare participants aged 70 to 78 found that a colonoscopy screening lowered colon cancer risk modestly over the course of 8 years, from under 3% to just over 2% in those under 75. However, it had little or no influence on cancer risk in people above the age of 75.

Nevertheless, Robert Smith, vice president of cancer screening at the American Cancer Society, believes that stopping all colonoscopies for anyone over the age of 75 is wrong. The patient's total health and life expectancy, he claims, is a superior criterion.

"The question is whether or whether screening is beneficial to older folks. After the age of 75, you can make your own decisions about whether or not screening is necessary. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for colon cancer between the ages of 50 and 75 using any method, including colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is covered by Medicare regardless of age.

People over 75 who have had regular colon cancer screening since the age of 50 and have had over and over again negative tests — no polyps or colon cancer — and are not at a higher risk of colon cancer due to family history, may not need to continue. The American College of Physicians and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) have released guidelines for colon cancer screening.

After studies revealed that screening after the age of 75 had a tiny net benefit, the upper age restriction was set. Colon cancer surveillance is recommended by the USPSTF for adults over 75 who have a higher risk of colon cancer, such as a family history of colon cancer, a previous diagnosis of colon cancer, or adenomatous polyps.

Colonoscopy screening is no longer advised after a certain age, according to the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Colon cancer screening should be done using one or a mix of screening strategies, according to the USPSTF and the ACP:

• Colonoscopy

• Sigmoidoscopy

• FOBT (fecal occult blood testing)

• FIT (fecal immunochemical testing)

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

• Stool DNA testing

Consult your doctor at Screen the City to determine which colon cancer screening option is right for you. You and your doctor can decide when screening is no longer necessary based on your general health.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.