Association of lowering the recommended colorectal cancer screening age with cancer incidence, mortality, and costs in Canada

Recent US guideline updates have advocated for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening to begin at age 45 years in average-risk adults, whereas Canadian screening programs continue to begin screening at age 50 years. A modeling study following simulated individuals representative for the Canadian population found that beginning screening by biennial fecal immunochemical test at age 45 or 40, rather than 50 years, was associated with decreased CRC incidence, mortality and overall CRC-related health care costs. The authors conclude that lowering the screening initiation age in Canada from the current start age of 50 years may be justified.