Study of Prevalence of Colorectal Adenoma in 30- to 49-year-old Subjects With a Family History of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for average-risk persons beginning at age 50. A family history of colorectal cancer is recognized as a risk factor for colorectal adenoma. However, the strength of this association is uncertain. Current guidelines for initiating screening colonoscopies in patients younger than 50 years of age who have a first relative history of colorectal cancer have proved controversial. The conflicting recommendations are partly attributable to the lack of data about the prevalence of CRC and adenomas among 30- to 49-year-old individuals with a first relative history of colorectal cancer. This prospective study will quantify the prevalence of adenomas (any size) and advanced adenomas among 30- to 49-year-old individuals undergoing their first screening colonoscopy because of a first relative history of colorectal cancer and compare the data with controls(asymptomatic subjects without a first relative history of colorectal cancer).