Colon Cancer: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
According to the USPSTF, what is the recommended colorectal cancer screening method and interval for an average-risk adult age 50–75?
A. CT colonography yearly
B. Sigmoidoscopy every 10 yrs
C. FOBT every 3 yrs
D. Colonoscopy every 10 yrs
E. Stool DNA every 10 yrs
Answer and topic summary
The answer is D. Colonoscopy every 10 yrs
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults aged 45–75 who are at average risk (no prior CRC, adenomas, inflammatory bowel disease, or high-risk genetic syndromes).
Several screening options are acceptable, but one of the most widely used and commonly tested recommendations is:
Colonoscopy every 10 years
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard screening test because it allows direct visualization of the entire colon and removal of precancerous adenomatous polyps during the same procedure, reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.
Other USPSTF-supported strategies include:
- Annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- High-sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) annually
- Stool DNA-FIT every 1–3 years
- CT colonography every 5 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Clinical pearl: Most colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps over 10–15 years, which is why 10-year colonoscopy intervals are appropriate for average-risk individuals with a normal exam.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint GI and Nutrition ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR, Family Medicine EOR, General Surgery PAEA EOR topic list
