According to a study published in JAMA Oncology, patients with an average risk of colon cancer may benefit from extending the interval between colonoscopy screenings to 15 years instead of the currently recommended 10. Colorectal cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, with mortality rates trailing only behind lung cancer.

The American Cancer Society advises individuals without a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors to begin screening at age 45. Typically, screenings involve procedures like colonoscopies, which can be invasive and uncomfortable. However, Swedish researchers suggest extending the interval between screenings could alleviate the burden of frequent examinations without compromising efficacy.

The study analyzed national registry data from over 110,000 individuals who had undergone their first colonoscopy with a negative result for colorectal cancer. This cohort was compared with a control group of over 1 million individuals. The research found that regardless of whether patients underwent colonoscopies every ten years or stretched the interval to 15 years, the risk of later colorectal cancer diagnosis or death remained similar.

Taking into account family history, researchers estimated that extending the interval by five years would result in missing only two colorectal cancer cases and causing one colorectal cancer-related death per 1,000 individuals. However, this extension could potentially save 1,000 colonoscopies for other patients, highlighting the potential benefits of such a strategy. 

(Source:https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/colonoscopy-15-years-colon-cancer-average-risk-rcna150372 )