Updates on Age to Start and Stop Colorectal Cancer Screening

	CRC screening start age	CRC screening stop age
MSTF, 2021	“We suggest that clinicians offer CRC screening to all average-risk individuals age 45-49 (weak recommendation; low-quality evidence).”	“We suggest that individuals who are up to date with screening and have negative prior screening tests, particularly high-quality colonoscopy, consider stopping screening at age 75 years or when life expectancy is less than 10 years (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence).”
	“For average-risk individuals who have not initiated screening before age 50, we recommend that clinicians offer CRC screening to all average-risk individuals beginning at age 50 (strong recommendation, high-quality evidence).”	“We suggest that persons without prior screening should be considered for screening up to age 85, depending on consideration of their age and comorbidities (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence).”
NCCN, 2021 66	“Average risk: age ≥45. The panel has reviewed existing data for beginning screening of average-risk individuals at age <50 years. Based on their assessment, the panel agrees that the data are stronger to support beginning screening at 50 years but acknowledges that lower-level evidence supports a benefit for screening earlier. When initiating screening for all eligible individuals, the panel recommends a discussion of potential harms/risks and benefits, and the consideration of all recommended CRC screening options.”	Not provided
American College of Gastroenterology, 2021 67	“We recommend CRC screening in average-risk individuals between ages 50 and 75 years to reduce incidence of advanced adenoma, CRC, and mortality from CRC.” Strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence “We suggest CRC screening in average-risk individuals between ages 45 and 49 years to reduce incidence of advanced adenoma, CRC, and mortality from CRC.” Conditional recommendation; very low-quality evidence	“We suggest that a decision to continue screening beyond age 75 years be individualized (conditional recommendation strength, very low-GRADE quality of evidence).”
USPSTF, 2021 90	Grade A: “The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer in all adults ages 50 to 75 years.” Grade B: “The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults aged 45 to 49 years.”	Grade C: “The USPSTF recommends that clinicians selectively offer screening for colorectal cancer in adults aged 76 to 85 years. Evidence indicates that the net benefit of screening all persons in this age group is small. In determining whether this service is appropriate in individual cases, patients and clinicians should consider the patient's overall health, prior screening history, and preferences.”
ACP, 2019 91	“Clinicians should screen for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults between the ages of 50 and 75 years.”	“Clinicians should discontinue screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults older than 75 years or in adults with a life expectancy of 10 years or less.”
ACS, 2018 52	“The ACS recommends that adults aged 45 and older with an average risk of CRC undergo regular screening with either a high-sensitivity stool-based test or a structural (visual) examination, depending on patient preference and test availability. As a part of the screening process, all positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with timely colonoscopy.”	“Average-risk adults in good health with a life expectancy of greater than 10 years continue CRC screening through the age of 75 years (qualified recommendation).”
	“The recommendation to begin screening at age 45 is a qualified recommendation.”	Clinicians should “individualize CRC screening decisions for individuals aged 76 through 85 years based on patient preferences, life expectancy, health status, and prior screening history (qualified recommendation).”
	“The recommendation for regular screening in adults aged 50 y and older is a strong recommendation.”	Clinicians should “discourage individuals over age 85 years from continuing CRC screening (qualified recommendation).”

MSTF, Multi-Society Task Force; NCCN, National Comprehensive Cancer Network; USPSTF, U.S. Preventative Services Task Force; ACP, American College of Physicians; ACS, American Cancer Society; CRC, colorectal cancer; GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.