Extending the Reach of Colorectal Screening to all Populations in the United States

Abstract

In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the current reach of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the US population; how persistent inequities in CRC across age and sociodemographic groups and changes in epidemiology, as well as population structure, have increased the urgency of achieving optimal reach; and current and future strategies for optimizing the reach and impact of screening across the population. CRC screening saves lives, but reach across the population, including across age and sociodemographic groups, is highly variable. CRC screening participation in the United States remains at under 60% and has been stagnant over time. Lower screening participation is observed for individuals of younger age; of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic backgrounds; with Medicaid insurance; and with recent immigration. Addressing suboptimal reach is increasingly important due to changing CRC epidemiology and US population structure. Recent trends demonstrate increases in early (<50 years) and middle age (50-60 years) onset of CRC and nonlocalized-stage CRC, as well as persistent inequities in CRC outcomes among multiple racial/ethnic groups. These trends exist in a context where the US population is increasingly composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds associated with lower screening rates and higher rates of adverse CRC outcomes. Screening reach can be optimized by building on successes of previous impactful policies, implementing evidence-based interventions for screening, and developing novel strategies that address challenges at patient, clinician, healthcare system, and policy levels. Gastroenterologists, other clinicians, and public health advocates have a major role in leading positive change at each of these levels. Overall, the need to optimize the reach of CRC screening represents a pressing opportunity for improving health equity across all populations in the United States.