ABSTRACT
Data from prospective and large retrospective studies indicate that colonoscopy is highly effective in screening average- and high-risk populations as well for surveillance in those with a prior history of colorectal polyps, cancer, or chronic colitis. Screening colonoscopy has been shown to be safe and important in detecting polyps and cancers that would have gone undetected had traditional screening measure been employed and appears to be cost-effective at levels at or below costs for other cancer screening programs. Colonoscopy with polypectomy leads to a greater than 75% reduction in colorectal cancer development when compared with historical controls. Surveillance intervals for patients with a history of adenomatous colon polyps can be extended to at least 3 to 5 years under most circumstances. Colonoscopy following curative colorectal cancer surgery should follow typical postpolypectomy recommendations given the major goal of preventing a second primary colorectal cancer in this group.
KEYWORD
Colon - colonoscopy - cancer - polyp - screening
