Key Insights:
- A population-based study using Swedish nationwide registry data suggests that the recommended interval between screening colonoscopies could be safely extended from 10 years to 15 years for adults aged 45-69 with no family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) and a negative initial colonoscopy.
- The study compared 110,074 individuals who had a negative first colonoscopy with over 1.9 million controls. The findings indicated that, up to 15 years post-initial negative colonoscopy, the 10-year cumulative risk for CRC and CRC-specific mortality was significantly lower in the screened group compared to controls, with a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 0.72 and a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.55.
This study provides substantial evidence to consider extending colonoscopy screening intervals for certain low-risk populations, potentially offering a more efficient use of healthcare resources while maintaining effective cancer prevention and early detection strategies.