What is the standard age for beginning colorectal cancer screening in average-risk individuals?

Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk individuals is recommended to start at age 45. This guideline was updated by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2021 to reflect an increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in younger populations. The goal of starting screening at this age is to identify precancerous lesions or early-stage cancer when they are most treatable.

By beginning screening at 45, it helps to ensure that individuals are monitored and screened before the cancer potentially develops or progresses to later stages. It's important to note that while many guidelines traditionally suggested starting at age 50, the shift to 45 aims to address the rising trends in colorectal cancer and to reduce mortality associated with the disease across all age groups.