On the Potential for Optimizing Colorectal Screening Outcomes.

The development of colorectal cancer screening is a cancer control success. It is preventing thousands of deaths, but it has the potential of preventing thousands more. This can be achieved through offering all eligible patients high quality screening, diagnostics, and treatment. Let us educate and encourage colorectal screening among all average risk Americans beginning at 45. Let us not allow a recommendation to start at 45 to deemphasize screening those older persons who are most likely to benefit from colorectal cancer screening. See related article by Liu et al., p. 1701.