Each member of that group was matched with up to 18 control individuals of the same age and sex.
The control group either never had a colonoscopy or had a positive finding during their last screening.
This change could avoid 1,000 unnecessary colonoscopies.
Pony Wang / Getty Images
We expected a longer interval might miss more cancers, but the findings suggest the risk is minimal.
However, some experts said these findings shouldnt change how people approach colorectal cancer screening.
Why Might Fewer Colonoscopies Benefit Patients?
Colonoscopies can be a hassle to schedule, prepare, and pay for.
And while colonoscopies are pretty safe procedures, they do carry some risks.
The risk of perforation or bleeding during a colonoscopy is about four in 1,000.
[Colonoscopies] are associated with risk.
If the test results are positive, theyre followed up with a colonoscopy.
Those factors could contribute to a persons risk for colorectal cancer.
In the U.S., there are increasingly more young adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Chowdhury said shes worried that encouraging fewer colonoscopies could lead some of those cases to be missed.
To not do anything for 15 years makes me uncomfortable, even for the average person, Chowdhury said.
Will U.S.
It usually takes 10 years for a polyp to develop from harmless to cancerous.
People sometimes worry about the 10 years that its too long, and maybe we should do it sooner.
However, it is only during a colonoscopy that a doctor can remove polyps to prevent colorectal cancer.
Doing anything is better than doing nothing, Bresalier said.
For now, though, the research isnt yet robust enough to change U.S. guidelines.
A 15-year interval may, in the end, be a reasonable thing to do.
Younger people who have a family history or a history of inflammatory bowel disease may get screened younger.
2017;26(4):614-621. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-16-0800
