Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE reviewing Inadomi JM, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Dec 27.

The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable set a goal of achieving 80% adherence to colorectal cancer screening in the U.S. by 2018. No individual state has achieved that level, and most states have adherence rates in the 60% to 70% range. This review examined the evidence regarding what measures are effective in increasing adherence.

Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE reviewing Teramoto A, et al. Gastrointest Endosc 2019 Dec 23.

Experienced colonoscopists know that when a small polyp is encountered during insertion, it is best to remove it immediately, as identifying it during withdrawal is sometimes difficult. In this trial, patients were randomized to either removal of a left-sided lesion <1 cm in size during insertion or saving it for removal during withdrawal; researchers sought to determine whether there are clinical advantages to immediate removal of lesions during insertion.

Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE reviewing Niedermaier T, et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2019 Dec 10.

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) sensitivity for colorectal cancer is often cited at about 80%, using the 20 microgram Hgb/g feces cut-off. However, it is important to know the stage-specific performance because detection of early stages has greater value than detection of late stages. This systematic review and meta-analysis of 44 studies examines the stage-specific sensitivity of FITs.

Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE reviewing May FP, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Sep 13.

A recent study examined colorectal screening rates by racial and ethnic groups for the years 2008 to 2016 to determine whether screening rates have improved since the Affordable Care Act was implemented and whether progress has been made toward eradicating racial and ethnic disparities in screening.