CHDS’s Jennifer Yeh and colleagues analyzed different screening modalities and strategies for colorectal cancer screening among survivors of childhood cancer previously treated with abdominopelvic radiation treatment who are at elevated risk for the disease. The Children’s Oncology Group currently recommends early initiation of colorectal cancer screening, but adherence rates are low and may be related to uncertain benefits, burden, and tradeoffs. Survivor preferences for screening types and access may also vary. This study sought to identify optimal screening strategies for each screening modality based on burden-benefit tradeoffs.
The investigators’ analysis showed that initiating screening as early as age 25 for childhood cancer survivors could substantially reduce colorectal cancer occurrence and mortality. Optimal strategies included colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 30, multitarget stool DNA (mtsDN) every 3 years starting at age 30, or fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) every 3 years starting at age 25 years and then annually starting at age 45. By providing estimates of benefits, burdens, and costs of the differing strategies, their findings can help with discussions between childhood cancer survivors and their physicians regarding colorectal cancer screening.
Yeh’s research on childhood cancer survivorship focuses on how treatment-related risks for secondary cancers, cardiac events and other late effects impact long-term health and quality of life and strategies for prevention and early detection to improve survivorship.
Learn more: Read the full article, Benefits, Harms, and Burden of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Childhood Cancer Survivors Previously Treated with Abdominopelvic Radiation
Learn more: Read about Jennifer Yeh
Learn more: Read about the CHDS Approach to Models and Tools
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