Colon cancer screening in 2010: an up-date.

Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers worldwide. The prognosis for limited disease is excellent; however, it becomes poor for more advanced disease. The majority of colorectal cancers arise from premalignant adenomatous polyps. This makes the detection of polyps and early carcinoma an attractive screening strategy. This article will review the current tests available for screening for colorectal cancer. These include stool based tests (guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests, immunochemical fecal tests, stool DNA panel), radiologic tests (double contrast barium enema and computed tomography colonography), and endoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy). The current use of these tests in population-based screening programs and the most recent screening guidelines from the largest advisory groups in North America and Europe will be discussed.