Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance for Non-Hereditary High-Risk Groups-Is It Time for a Re-Think?

Purpose of review: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide, killing approximately 900,000 people each year. An individual's risk of developing CRC is multi-factorial with known risk factors including increasing age, male sex, family history of CRC and raised body mass index. Population-based screening programmes for CRC exist in many countries, and in the United Kingdom (UK), screening is performed through the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). Screening programmes offer a population-based approach for those at "average risk", and do not typically offer enhanced screening for groups at increased risk. In the UK, such patients are managed via non-screening symptomatic services but in a non-systematic way.

Recent findings: There is growing evidence that conditions such as cystic fibrosis and a history of childhood cancer are associated with higher risk of CRC, and surveillance of these groups is advocated by some organizations; however, national recommendations do not exist in most countries.

Summary: We review the evidence for screening "high risk" groups not covered within most guidelines and discuss health economic issues requiring consideration acknowledging that the demand on colonoscopy services is already overwhelming.