The percentage of persons 45–75 years of age who received a colonoscopy for a positive colorectal cancer non-invasive screening test.
Why It Matters
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents approximately 8% of all new cancer cases; it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 (1). The American Cancer Society estimates over 154,000 new cases of CRC in 2025 (2). CRC is most frequently diagnosed among people 65–74 years of age; however, it is estimated that 10.5% of new CRC cases occur in adults younger than 50 (3).
Routine screening for CRC is an effective method for finding precancerous lesions (polyps) that could later become malignant, and for detecting early cancers that can be more easily and effectively treated. Stool-based tests such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and multitarget stool DNA test (sDNA) are commonly used CRC screening tests in the United States (4). Positive stool-based tests require a timely follow-up colonoscopy to achieve the benefits of screening (5), as failure to adhere is associated with greater colorectal cancer risk (6).
This measure was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) totaling $1,563,853, with 100% funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.
Historical Results – National Averages
Performance results for this measure are currently unavailable.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening for Colorectal Cancer.” Colorectal Cancer. October 17, 2024. Screening for Colorectal Cancer.
- American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023–2025. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2023. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023–2025
- American Cancer Society. “Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer?” American Cancer Society. April 28, 2025. Colorectal Cancer Statistics
- Shaukat, Aasma, Charles J. Kahi, Carol A. Burke, Linda Rabeneck, Bryan G. Sauer, and Douglas K. Rex. “ACG Clinical Guidelines: Colorectal Cancer Screening 2021.” The American Journal of Gastroenterology 116, no. 3 (2021): 458–79.
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Karina W. Davidson, Michael J. Barry, Carol M. Mangione, Michael Cabana, Aaron B. Caughey, Esa M. Davis, et al. “Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.” JAMA 325, no. 19 (2021): 1965–77.
- Subramanian, Sujha, Florence K. L. Tangka, Sonja Hoover, Anjali Mathews, Diana Redwood, Lauren Smayda, Esmeralda Ruiz, et al. “Optimizing Tracking and Completion of Follow-Up Colonoscopy After Abnormal Stool Tests at Health Systems Participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program.” Cancer Causes & Control 35, no. 11 (2024): 1467–76.