45 Is the New 50 for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Posted on by DCPC

Ginny Kincaid, MPH
Health Communication Specialist
Lead for CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign

Get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45.
Screening saves lives. Talk to your doctor about which test option is right for you.

You may have heard by now that the new recommended age to start colorectal cancer screening has been lowered from age 50 to 45. When we started to think about messaging around this age change, we jokingly threw out phrases like, “You now get to be screened for colorectal cancer even earlier, starting at age 45—lucky you!” We know colorectal cancer screening isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun afternoon, regardless of which test option you use.

But all jokes aside, any inconvenience or discomfort that comes along with screening is worth it. Colorectal cancer screening truly is an opportunity to prevent cancer. It’s one of the only cancer screening tests that can prevent cancer by finding precancerous polyps and removing them before they become cancer. Screening can also find cancer early when it may be easier to treat.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death for men and women. Each year, almost 53,000 people die of it in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Why Did the Recommendation Change?

It’s normal for screening recommendations to be updated over time. The US Preventive Services Task Force, an independent volunteer group of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, reviewed new data and concluded that screening for colorectal cancer in adults who are 45 to 49 years old can be helpful.

Other Considerations

  • Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer, including some that can be done at home. There is no single “best test” for any person. Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test, and how often to be tested.

Screen for Life

CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign promotes the importance of getting regular, on-time screenings for colorectal cancer. In this new video, the campaign takes a humorous approach to talking about colorectal cancer screening.

Colorectal cancer is serious, but talking about screening doesn’t have to be. If you or someone you know is 45 or turning 45 soon, talk to them about getting screened for colorectal cancer.

Posted on by DCPC

4 comments on “45 Is the New 50 for Colorectal Cancer Screening”

Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Read more about our comment policy ».

    Why is colorectal cancer screening not recommended for people over age 75? I don’t find an answer for that question through this website.

    Thank you for your question! The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent group of medical experts, recommends that doctors offer colorectal cancer screening to adults who are 76 to 85 years old on a case-by-case basis. Research shows that the benefit of screening everyone in this age group is small.

    To decide if colorectal cancer screening is right for a particular person, doctors and patients should consider the patient’s overall health, screening history, and preferences. The USPSTF found that colorectal cancer screening in adults who are 76 to 85 years old and have been screened before has a small benefit. For more details, please see the recommendation.

    Anyone who wants to know if colorectal cancer screening is right for them can talk to their doctor about their personal risk factors.

    I live in uk and have had regular bowel cancel tests since 60 ( poo 💩 sample kit your sent automatically in post by nhs. Mine came back positive late june 2021 by July 6 th I had a big op left sided Sigmoid colectomy.. ( painful till I took a whole tin of prunes !!! And no I’ll effects after as they caught it early before it passed through the bowel wall .. I was very lucky ,, but I didn’t do heavy lifting or cycling for at least a year as I didn’t want to have a hernia ,,, which you can if you’ve had ops
    I was 66-5 yrs old then I had no symptoms I thought!!before !!I was very fit cycled up to 50 miles swam at least 3 times a week and walked up a mountain before the operation,,
    So don’t be reluctant what ever your health is !! Get tested I’m 70 this year and fit again thankfully but take each day as a blessing

    Why do the FIT screening tests say “Only for those age 45 and over?” I am 37 and have indirect family history (mother’s grandfather, mother’s uncle, 2 of mother’s cousins) and a mainly meat diet that has no fruits or vegetables, am slightly overweight, pass stools 3 times a day with gases. Is a FIT test appropriate for me? My doctor has denied me the test or colonoscopy twice and I am concerned.

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Page last reviewed: Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Page last updated: Tuesday, June 8, 2021