Study: Screening After 65 Important Even If Prior Tests Negative

People over the age of 65 should continue to have regular screening tests for colorectal cancer even if prior tests have been negative, according to Columbia University researchers reporting in the American Journal of Surgery.

Daniel L. Feingold and Kenneth A. Forde reported in the American Journal of Surgery that in a study of people over age 65, they found that colonoscopies still revealed a significant percentage of benign tumors and polyps, some of which could have become cancerous over time if not removed.

In their study,the researchers reviewed the records of 699 patients in this age group who underwent colonoscopies that turned out to be negative. Fifty-six of these patients underwent a total of 123 colonoscopies after they turned 65 years old.

Although 66 percent of the patients had colonoscopies that continued to reveal no problems, 23 percent were found to have colorectal adenomas and 11 percent were found to have colon polyps.

Although no cancers were discovered in this group, the authors recommend that people over 65 years old continue to be screened regularly for colorectal cancer.

Other Sources: American Journal of Surgery