Increasing Prevalence of Polyps > 9 mm in Young Adults Aged 40 to 59 Years Undergoing Colonoscopy From 2002 to 2014

Abstract

The annual incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been increasing over the past 3 decades for young adults, defined as patients under 50 years of age.1–3 The American Cancer Society4 and US Preventive Service Task Force5 have made qualified recommendations to initiate screening at age 45 years based on modeling analyses. We hypothesized that if CRC prevalence is increasing before age 50, there may be a concomitant increase in cancer precursor lesions before and after age 50.