Colonoscopy Versus Stool-based Testing for Older Adults With a History of Colon Polyps
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Summary
This is a multi-site comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing annual fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy for post-polypectomy surveillance among adults aged 65-82 with a history of colorectal polyps who are due for surveillance colonoscopy.
Description
Colon polyps are common among adults ≥50 years and people with colon polyps are recommended to undergo regular follow-up colonoscopy (surveillance) in hopes of preventing subsequent colorectal cancer (CRC). Older adults, particularly those who are age ≥70 years, most of whom have a history of only small colon polyps, may benefit little from repeated colonoscopies because of the increased risks of colonoscopy due to age and co-morbidities and potentially limited life expectancy due to other competing medical problems - CRC may never be a problem for them. Older adults may also be hesitant to ge…