Despite growing adoption of stool- and blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests, GI leaders say colonoscopy demand continues to rise, particularly in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). In fact, many believe noninvasive screening is expanding the screening funnel rather than replacing colonoscopy.
Industry experts note that positive results from at-home screening tests still require follow-up colonoscopy, while rising colorectal cancer rates in younger adults are driving greater screening awareness and procedure volumes. Nearly 60% of endoscopic colorectal procedures are now performed in ASCs, which handled almost 9 million procedures in 2024, a 50% increase since 2018.
The article reinforces a growing consensus in GI: noninvasive screening tests may increase access and participation, but colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer through polyp removal.