Cancer screening: from uptake to informed decision making

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer related death. In developed countries one in 20 people will develop the disease. Given this major burden, establishing screening programmes has been a public health priority. People at average risk are generally offered screening once they reach 50, but there is no consensus on which tests to use or how often. The Rapid Recommendations team has now taken up this issue, asking whether screening makes an important difference to health outcomes, and …