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  • American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Guidelines

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society 2018 guideline for colorectal cancer screening recommends that average-risk adults aged 45 years and older undergo regular screening with either a high-sensitivity stool-based test or a structural (visual) exam, based on personal preferences and test availability. As a part of the screening process, all positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with timely colonoscopy.

American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline (2018)

Full text of current ACS recommendations (and rationale) for screening for the early detection of colorectal cancer is available here.

  • Full Text: ACS recommendations (and rationale) for screening for the early detection
  • Quick Look: Summary Chart of American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline
  • For Your Patients: Colorectal Cancer Early Detection

Colon MD: Clinician’s Information Source

The American Cancer Society offers free materials to help you continue encouraging colorectal cancer screening among your patients 45 years and older. You play the most important role in getting people screened for colorectal cancer. If your patients don't hear about screening from you, they may not think they need it.

With the release of the 2018 screening guideline, the ACS has developed decision support tools to help you engage your patients in making shared decisions in selecting a CRC screening test.

  • Conversation Cards - for use during a clinical visit
  • Patient Decision Aid - for patients to review on their own
  • Clinician Summary - overview of the ACS recommendations along with instructions for using the conversation cards and guidance on test options.
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