A NEW cohort study has raised questions about the current 10-year rescreening recommendation for individuals with negative colonoscopy screening (NCS) results. The research, which followed 195,453 participants across three major US cohorts, found that NCS results were associated with a significantly lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) for up to 20 years, compared to individuals who did not undergo endoscopy.
The study revealed that individuals with negative NCS results experienced reduced CRC risk for two decades. Interestingly, those with low-risk profiles (based on demographic and lifestyle factors) showed a similar cumulative incidence of CRC at 25 years as high-risk individuals did at 10 years after screening. Specifically, while individuals with a high-risk score (8-12) reached a 0.78% cumulative CRC incidence at 10 years, those with low-risk scores (0-5) only reached this figure after 25 years.
These findings suggest that the rescreening interval could be extended for individuals with low-risk profiles, potentially moving beyond the current 10-year guideline. With CRC incidence and mortality significantly lower among those with negative NCS results, the study calls for shared decision-making between physicians and patients to consider risk profiles when determining appropriate rescreening timelines.
This evidence underscores the importance of personalised approaches in colorectal cancer prevention, advocating for more tailored rescreening intervals based on an individual’s risk factors.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Knudsen MD et al. Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality after negative colonoscopy screening results. 2025;11(1):46-54.
