Guideline aims to address COVID-19-delayed CRC screening

About 18,800 colorectal cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed from early March and early June because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable claims in a recently published guideline

Advertisement

Researchers drafted guidance to offer clinicians advice on how to tackle the backlog of cases. Four highlights from the resource:

1. The pandemic resulted in a 90 percent drop in colonoscopies and biopsies compared to screening numbers from the same period in 2019. 

2. If gastroenterologists can perform colonoscopies, clinicians should prioritize patients by need. 

3. Early detection should be prioritized for patients who are more than 45 years old and at average risk for developing CRC. 

4. Gastroenterologists should prescribe at-home stool-based screening tests to overcome delays and barriers associated with colonoscopy screening. 

More articles on surgery centers:
Top-paying jobs in 2020 — Surgeons are No. 1
The state of ASCs in June 2020: 10 observations on supply chain, payers, staffing & future growth
Optum leads $26M funding round for digital therapeutics startup

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in GI & Endoscopy

Advertisement

Comments are closed.