Table 1.

Available Colorectal Cancer Screening and Post-Polypectomy Surveillance Guidelines for Older Adults

Society	Year	Screening	Surveillance
United States
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [39]	2016	Adults 76–85 years of age: • The decision to screen for CRC is an individual one. • The net benefit of screening for individuals who have previously been screened is small • Those who have never been screened are more likely to benefit • Screening is most appropriate for those healthy enough to undergo treatment and those without comorbid conditions that significantly limit their life expectancy	No recommendations provided
U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer [14]	2017	Individuals who are up to date with screening, who have prior negative screening, reach age 75 or have <10 years of life expectancy: • Discontinuation of screening should be considered • Individuals without prior screening: • Should be considered for screening up to age 85, depending on age and comorbidities	The decision to continue surveillance should be individualized with consideration of benefit, risk, and comorbidities
American Cancer Society [45]	2018	Adults 76–85 years of age: • Should make a decision with their medical provider about whether to be screened, based on their own preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history Adults over the age of 85: • Should not undergo CRC screening	No recommendations provided
Other
British Society of Gastroenter-ology and Association of Colproctology for Great Britain and Ireland [43]	2010	No recommendations for screening individuals over the age of 74 years	After 75 years of age: • The decision to continue surveillance should be based on relative cancer risk and comorbidity • Colonoscopy is likely to be less successful and more risky at older ages • Most will not benefit from surveillance due to the average lead time for progression of an adenoma to cancer (10 years) which is the same as the average life expectancy of an individual aged 75 years or older
European Union [44]	2010	No recommendations for screening individuals over the age of 74 years	The cutoff age for stopping surveillance is usually 75 years, but this should also depend on patient wishes and comorbidity

CRC, colorectal cancer