title: Colorectal cancer and the elderly.
abstract: Colorectal cancer and precancerous adenomas disproportionately affect the elderly, necessitating the need for screening and surveillance in this group. However, screening and surveillance decisions in the elderly can be challenging. Special considerations such as comorbid medical conditions, functional status, and cognitive ability play a role in one's decisions regarding the utility of screening and surveillance as well as the success and safety of various screening modalities. This article explores the evidence for screening and surveillance in the elderly, and addresses key challenges unique to this population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, 3D-5, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. Electronic address: lukejohn.day@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Lukejohn W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Velayos
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019468:Disease Management; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics
keywords: Adverse events; Colonoscopy; Colorectal cancer; Elderly; Quality; Screening; Surveillance; Very elderly