Earlier Screening for Colorectal Cancer Recommended for African Americans

Friday, April 08, 2005

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — New recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology call for earlier screening for colorectal cancer in African Americans. Cuong Nguyen, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, along with colleagues from eight academic centers, were asked by the American College of Gastroenterology to form a task force to address the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with colorectal cancer in African Americans in the U.S.

Their recommendations were published in the March 2005 edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Among all racial or ethnic groups in the U.S., African Americans have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer. In addition, the mean age when the disease is diagnosed in African Americans is lower - and their survival rate is shorter - than among Caucasians. While there is no established biological explanation for these differences, specific steps can be taken to positively impact the final outcomes, according to Dr. Nguyen.

"Based on our extensive review of current evidence, our task force recommends colonoscopy screening for average-risk individuals at age 45," says Dr. Nguyen. "This is five years earlier than has been recommended to date."

The Journal published the recommendations-along with information on colorectal cancer incidence, survival, tumor site distribution, diagnosis and screening. The paper not only draws attention to the specific issues of colorectal cancer in African Americans, but it encourages the development of culturally-sensitive educational programs, both in the community and for physicians.

Development of culturally sensitive educational programs - both in the community and for physicians - better access to health care, increased awareness of screening and improvements in socioeconomic status are recommended to improve the colorectal disparities.

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is one of only 38 U.S. medical centers that have been named as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center. To receive this designation, an institution must meet rigorous standards demonstrating clinical excellence in treating cancer patients and scientific excellence in its research programs. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is ranked by the NCI as one of the top 10 cancer centers in the nation, and is the only national, multi-site center with the NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. In Arizona, Mayo's clinical and research experts work together to address the complex needs of cancer patients, with a dedication to understanding the biology of cancer; discovering new ways to predict, prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and transforming the quality of life for cancer patients today and in the future.

Mayo Clinic is a private group practice of medicine dedicated to providing diagnosis and treatment of patient illnesses through a systematic focus on individual patient needs. As a leading academic medical center in the Southwest, Mayo Clinic focuses on providing specialty and surgical care in more than 65 disciplines at its outpatient facility in north Scottsdale and at Mayo Clinic Hospital. The 208-licensed bed hospital is located at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard (north of Bell Road) in northeast Phoenix, and provides inpatient care to support the medical and surgical specialties of the clinic, which is located at 134th Street and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale.

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