Colorectal cancer screening in average risk individuals.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading type of cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Prevention of colorectal cancer should be achievable by screening programs that detect adenomas in asymptomatic patients and lead to their removal. In this manuscript, we review the major screening modalities, the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, the data supporting their use, and various issues affecting the implementation of each test.

Deficiencies in knowledge and familial risk communication among colorectal adenoma patients.

Goals: Our primary objectives were to assess knowledge about familial risk and risk communication among colorectal adenoma patients.

Background: The first-degree relatives (FDRs) of colorectal adenoma patients diagnosed before the age of 60 years may be at increased risk of colorectal cancer and should begin screening by the age of 40 years. Adherence to this recommendation requires effective risk communication between physicians, affected patients, and their at-risk relatives.

A national survey of flexible sigmoidoscopy training in primary care graduate and postgraduate education programs.

Objectives: Expanding the pool of primary care endoscopists to perform flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) has been advocated as a strategy for building colorectal cancer screening capacity. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the availability and structure of FS training among internal medicine (IM), family practice (FP), physician assistant (PA), and nurse practitioner (NP) training programs.

Methods: A postal survey of all accredited IM (n = 445), FP (n = 471), PA (n = 118), and NP (n = 149) training programs nationwide was conducted.