Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the world1. Most CRCs are slow growing, arising from precursor lesions such as adenomatous polyps or sessile serrated lesions. This slow growth enables a window of time to screen for both early cancer and precursor lesions2. However, adherence to CRC screening remains low in most developed countries, ranging from 19% in Croatia and the Czech Republic to 69% in the Basque region of Spain3,4. There are multiple CRC screening modalities available, including stool-based tests such as faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and multitarget stool DNA (mtsDNA) test; blood-based tests such as septin 9; and imaging-based tests such as CT colonography (CTC), colon capsule, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy2. The guidelines for CRC screening differ worldwide based on population risk, resources, and patient and society values. Our Review aims to summarize evidence on each screening modality and guidelines by various regions of the world and to highlight new screening tests that have the potential to disrupt this field. Our Review does not address post-polypectomy surveillance colonoscopy.

Stool-based tests

Faecal immunochemical test

Most screening programmes throughout the world rely on faecal occult blood tests5,6,7 (Box 1). Faecal occult blood tests have been demonstrated to reduce CRC incidence and mortality in randomized trials enrolling between 46,000 and 152,000 individuals at average risk when used annually or biennially8,9. FITs are an improvement on the guaiac method of detecting haemoglobin in the stool, using antibodies specific for human haemoglobin rather than the more non-specific peroxidase reaction10. FIT is also a one-sample test (compared to guaiac faecal occult blood tests, which require three samples) and is easy to complete in the patient’s home, leading to improved uptake compared to guaiac-based faecal occult blood tests11. FITs are not affected by diet or medications and, if using a quantitative test, the sensitivity and specificity can be varied by adjusting the cut-off for a positive test12. The FDA-approved threshold for a positive FIT is 20 μg/g (micrograms of haemoglobin per gram of stool). The threshold for a positive test can be varied to better match colonoscopy demand with available supply7. In a meta-analysis, the pooled sensitivity of FIT at a threshold of 20 μg/g for CRC was 0.79, with a specificity of 0.94 (ref.13). In an analysis that only included studies with colonoscopy follow-up of all participants, the one-sample FIT sensitivity for CRC was 0.75 at 20 μg/g and 0.91 at 10 μg/g (ref.14) and the specificity was 0.95 at 20 μg/g and 0.90 at 10 μg/g (ref.14). FIT sensitivity for advanced adenomas was 0.40 at 10 μg/g and 0.25 at 20 μg/g (ref.14). With the latest recommendations to lower the screening age to 45 years9,15,16,17, it is unclear if the current or different FIT threshold for positivity should be used, pointing out a need for future research.

Multiple randomized trials in the USA and Europe have evaluated screening participation when FIT and colonoscopy are compared either in head-to-head comparisons, as a sequential choice or as a direct choice between the two approaches18,19,20,21,22. In every setting, more people participate in screening when FIT is offered compared to colonoscopy alone. Even though a one-time FIT is less sensitive than colonoscopy, the higher participation with FIT can lead to nearly equivalent detection of CRC with a single FIT compared to an offer of colonoscopy only20,22. In addition to increased participation, FIT performed annually or biennially has a higher cumulative rate of detecting CRC and precursor neoplasia than a single FIT, making it comparable to the yield of a colonoscopy performed once every 10 years23.

Several randomized trials of FIT versus colonoscopy for CRC screening are ongoing (NCT02078804, NCT01239082, NCT00906997)22,24,25,26,27. In the absence of randomized trial evidence, modelling studies can be used to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of alternative screening strategies. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) CISNET program, which includes three models, does not explicitly model costs but did report that FIT is slightly less effective than colonoscopy when participation is 100%28. However, a colonoscopy-only strategy requires substantially more colonoscopies and carries a higher risk of complications (complication rate of 11 per 1,000 screened for FIT and 16 per 1,000 screened for colonoscopy)28. One model found that both colonoscopy and FIT were cost-effective, but that FIT was the most cost-effective option for those aged 45–49 years29. The American Cancer Society also included a cost-effectiveness model as part of their most recent guideline published in 2018 and demonstrated that, if screening were to start at 45 years, FIT was the most efficient CRC screening option17.

Multitarget stool DNA test

The detection of methylated and tumour DNA in stool in conjunction with occult blood detection is a promising strategy to enhance the sensitivity of FIT (Box 1). The mtsDNA test (Cologuard, Exact Sciences) includes FIT to detect haemoglobin as well as tests to detect mutations associated with CRC in the DNA of cells shed by advanced adenomas or CRC30. In a prospective study of 10,023 individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy, a one-time mtsDNA test showed 92% sensitivity for CRC and 42% sensitivity for advanced adenomas. In comparison, a commercially available FIT (threshold of detection 20 μg/g) (OC FIT-CHEK, Polymedco) had 74% sensitivity for CRC and 24% sensitivity for advanced adenomas30. However, the mtsDNA test had lower specificity (87%) for CRC or advanced adenomas than the OC-Sensor with 95% specificity. The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in 2014 and is covered by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) since 2014. Initial barriers to the adoption of mtsDNA testing are the high cost, at ~US$600 per test. A cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the mtsDNA test, colonoscopy and FIT concluded that both FIT and colonoscopy were more cost-effective than the mtsDNA test31. In addition, participation would need to increase 1.7-fold due to the patient support function, or the combination of FIT and mtsDNA would need to cost 60% less than the current price (US$197–260)31. The mtsDNA test is not currently marketed outside the USA.

Another disadvantage of mtsDNA testing is the complex requirement of stool collection. The mtsDNA test is more involved than the FIT alone, requiring complex stool sample collection in a large jar with a special buffer, in addition to the FIT. There is also technical complexity requiring multistep lab analysis32. In the prospective trial, nearly 6% of participants were not able to collect or send an adequate stool specimen compared to 0.6% for FIT. Due to the lower specificity of the test, there is also a concern regarding a false-positive mtsDNA test, that is, when the mtsDNA test is positive followed by a normal colonoscopy. Given there are methylated DNA and tumour markers in the test, the question arises whether neoplasia was missed, possibly from cancer elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. To address this issue, Cotter et al. compared the incidence of gastrointestinal and other cancers in those with false-positive test results to those in people with negative test results and found no differences33; others have reported similar findings34. Given the harms of over-testing, over-diagnosis and the inherent cost of mtsDNA testing, current expert opinion is to follow average-risk screening intervals and repeat screening at 10 years following a negative colonoscopy after a positive mtsDNA test33. Currently, there are no studies on the performance of mtsDNA testing with repeat testing, and the currently recommended interval of 3 years is based on simulation modelling in the absence of empirical data.

Direct visualization tests

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is generally reserved as a follow-up procedure to a positive initial screening test in most screening programmes. In the USA in 2000, Medicare approved the use of colonoscopy as a screening modality every 10 years, which has led to a large increase in colonoscopy volume over time35. The USA is an outlier in this regard, with colonoscopy being the most common CRC screening modality36. According to the Behaviour Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, 68% of individuals sampled in 2018 aged 50–75 years were up to date on CRC screening and the most common modality reported was colonoscopy (61%), followed by FIT or faecal occult blood test (11%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (3%), mtsDNA testing (3%), and CTC (1%)37.

Multiple case–control and prospective cohort studies have estimated cancer mortality to be 29–68% lower among persons who undergo screening colonoscopy than among those who do not, and the protection is conferred for both proximal and distal CRC. Singh et al. demonstrated a 29% reduction in overall CRC mortality and 47% reduction in distal CRC mortality among 2,915 people38. Using SEER-Medicare data (n = 10,292), Baxter et al. reported a reduction in distal (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.37–0.43) and proximal CRC mortality (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.52–0.64) with colonoscopy39. The National Polyp Study (n = 1,418) reported a 53% reduction in CRC mortality with colonoscopy screening40. Results from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study reported a 68% reduction in CRC-related mortality after screening colonoscopy among 88,902 individuals41. Kahi et al. reported a reduction in CRC mortality of 61% with screening colonoscopy among 24,820 US Veterans (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.35–0.43)42. A nested case–control study on members of Kaiser Permanente reported a 67% reduction in risk of death from CRC with a 65% reduction in proximal CRC among 1,747 cases dying from CRC and 3,460 cancer-free matched controls43. Samadder et al. also reported a 67% reduction in CRC mortality in 980 residents of Utah exposed to colonoscopy compared with the general population, with a 57% reduction in mortality from proximal CRC44. Finally, a systematic review of observational studies found a 68% lower overall CRC mortality associated with colonoscopy45. Disadvantages of colonoscopy are its invasive nature, risk of complications (such as perforation and bleeding), the need for bowel preparation, and its burden on resources and associated costs. Colonoscopy detects many diminutive and small adenomatous and sessile serrated polyps. However, only a minority of such lesions have the potential to develop into cancer46. Given the lack of evidence of which polyps constitute an increased risk, individuals with polyps are placed in colonoscopy surveillance programmes at shorter intervals, leading to increased demand for colonoscopy and burden on the health-care system, all with uncertain benefit28. Due to financial and psychosocial barriers to accepting colonoscopy, when adherence has been compared in randomized trials, adherence to colonoscopy is lower than for FIT19. Thus, in programmatic screening programmes, colonoscopy is best reserved as step two of a two-stage screening cascade.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is another option for direct visualization of the distal colon, with a referral for colonoscopy when polyps are detected. There are several large-scale trials comparing a one-time or repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy to no screening with outcomes of reduction in CRC incidence and mortality. Trials from the United Kingdom and Italy randomly assigned 170,432 and 34,292 individuals, respectively, aged 55–64 years to a one-time flexible sigmoidoscopy compared with no screening, reporting a reduction in CRC incidence by 23% and 18% and in CRC mortality by 31% and 22%, respectively47,48. In the USA, the PLCO trial randomly assigned 154,887 individuals aged 55–74 years to flexible sigmoidoscopy every 3–5 years versus usual care and found a reduction in both CRC incidence and mortality of 21% and 26%, respectively49. A trial in Norway (n = 98,678) also reported a reduction in CRC incidence and mortality of 20% and 27%, respectively50. However, a long-term follow-up of the Norwegian trial participants at 15 years reported no reduction in CRC incidence or mortality with flexible sigmoidoscopy screening in women51. There are also practical and logistical challenges to consider. The resources required for flexible sigmoidoscopy are similar to a colonoscopy, but colonoscopy is needed to follow up on a positive FIT and for those with polyps on flexible sigmoidoscopy. Consequently, rates of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy have declined in the USA36. The lack of sedation and fear of pain are barriers to participation with flexible sigmoidoscopy52,53. In 2021, the UK also switched their CRC screening programme from flexible sigmoidoscopy to FIT starting at age 50 years due to similar reasons of poor adherence, resources needed and programmatic effectiveness54.

CT colonography

CTC enables the detection and localization of polyps and cancers in the colon through a 3D or 4D reconstruction. Two large trials have compared the diagnostic yield of CTC with optical colonoscopy performed on the same day55,56. One study56 accrued 1,233 individuals at average risk and demonstrated test characteristics of 92% sensitivity with 96% specificity of CTC for adenomas 10 mm or larger detected by optical colonoscopy and 86% sensitivity and 80% specificity for adenomas 6 mm or larger. The National CT Colonography Trial (NCTC), sponsored by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN 6664)55, included 2,600 asymptomatic participants for same-day CTC and optical colonoscopy. The sensitivity for adenomas or CRC 10 mm or larger as detected by colonoscopy was 84% with a specificity of 85%. The sensitivity for adenomas 6 mm or larger was 70%, with a specificity of 86%. A critique of CTC is that lesions smaller than 6 mm were not reported, and the clinical significance of such lesions is uncertain. CTC also reports on extracolonic findings, which lead to further testing and downstream effects such as observing adrenal and renal masses, which leads to biopsies and further imaging. In the NCTC trial, extracolonic findings were observed in 66% of individuals and 16% were considered of clinical importance, requiring either additional evaluation or urgent care55.

In our experience, the advantages of CTC are that it is less invasive, there is no need for procedural sedation and it has a low complication rate. Disadvantages are the requirement for bowel preparation, radiation exposure and extracolonic findings that lead to additional testing and potential overtreatment. CTC might be less sensitive for flat polyps, which are often sessile serrated adenomas, than for conventional polypoid lesions57, but contrast coating on the surface of flat polyps can enhance detection58 (Fig. 1). The use of CTC is limited due to the lack of trained radiologists and imaging centres that offer the test.

Fig. 1: Images of a sessile serrated lesion on colonoscopy and a sessile serrated lesion on CT colonography.
figure 1

a | Sessile serrated adenoma on colonoscopy. b | CT colonography image of a serrated polyp; note contrast covering the surface. Note these are not the same lesion, but the images demonstrate that these lesions are indeed flat and can be detected by the adherence of mucus and contrast material on the surface of the polyp. Part b reprinted with permission from ref.136, Elsevier.

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Colon capsule

The colon capsule harnesses the technology of a wireless, disposable pill-sized camera capsule that is swallowed and gets activated in the terminal ileum. The capsule takes pictures of colonic mucosa without requiring radiation exposure, sedation or gas insufflation. Earlier generations of the capsule had suboptimal accuracy59. More recent advances in the technology have added enhancements to improve diagnostic yield such as an increased and adaptive capsule frame rate (increased to 35 images per second while in motion), widened angle of view, new software to estimate polyp size and improved data recording60. In an average-risk screening study of 884 individuals of whom 695 (79%) were evaluable, conventional adenomas ≥6 mm were detected with 88% sensitivity and 82% specificity61. However, 26% of false-negative tests were due to sessile serrated polyps61. Other studies have reported 79% sensitivity for polyps ≥6 mm (ref.62) and as high as 90% among patients with a positive FIT result63. In a direct comparison study of 320 individuals, the colon capsule outperformed CTC in average-risk screening64 and for incomplete colonoscopy65,66. Barriers to colon capsule testing are the requirement for colonic preparation, particularly if the colonoscopy cannot be performed on the same day. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are particularly promising for colon capsule testing, with potential for autonomous detection and its use in combination with genomic or proteomic screening67,68. Advances in technology might enable the administration of the colon capsule at the patient’s home with video uploaded to a cloud-based server that can be downloaded and read by a skilled reader remotely.

Blood-based tests

SEPT9 is a tumour suppressor gene encoding septin 9, mutated early in the CRC pathway69. The determination of plasma methylated septin 9 (mSEPT9) is the only blood-based CRC detection test and is currently approved by the FDA for CRC screening in individuals who decline or are unable to complete the higher efficacy screening tests70. However, it is not approved for reimbursement by the CMS and is not included in the most recent US Preventive Services Task Force guideline due to inadequate sensitivity15. An improved version was reported to have 68% sensitivity for CRC overall but only 64% sensitivity for stage I–III disease with 80% specificity for all stages of cancer71. In direct comparison to FIT, the mSEPT9 assay had non-inferior sensitivity but lower specificity than one-time FIT for CRC72 and lower sensitivity for CRC and precursors versus mtsDNA testing73 (Table 1; Fig. 2).

Table 1 Summary of non-invasive CRC screening options
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Fig. 2: CRC screening tests in development.
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For blood-based tests, there are at least six blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests in various stages of development. These tests range from CRC-specific tests to multi-cancer early-detection tests. Candidate analytical targets include cell-free DNA (cfDNA), methylated circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), including the gene-specific methylated septin 9 (mSEPT9), and combinations of methylated DNA and proteins. Multi-omics tests use a combination of methylated DNA and protein and apply an artificial intelligence and/or machine learning (AI/ML) classifier to sort populations of individuals into ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ for cancer or advanced neoplasia. For imaging-based tests, in addition to CT colonography described in Fig. 1, other imaging-based tests in development include the colon capsule, a CT capsule of the colon and MR colonography. MR colonography image reproduced from ref.135 with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. Colon capsule image reprinted with permission from ref.61, Copyright © 2015 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. CT capsule image reproduced from ref.118 with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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Guidelines by worldwide region

CRC screening implementation and guidelines differ throughout the world. There are geographical differences in CRC incidence, economic resources, and health-care structure and infrastructure to support screening such as access to a cancer registry and the ability to identify the target population3. CRC incidence increases with age and was thought to have an inflexion point around age 50 years; however, with data in the past few years demonstrating an increasing incidence of CRC in individuals younger than 50 years in the USA37, four US guidelines have recommended starting screening at age 45 years for all men and women at average risk16,17,74,75. European guidelines76 continue to recommend CRC screening at age 50 years, with some variation between European countries between 50 and 60 years of age3. The UK recently changed its guidelines to drop flexible sigmoidoscopy in favour of biennial FIT with a starting age of 50 years54 (English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme). The Canadian Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening between the ages of 50 and 75 years77. In 2016, the Pan American Health Organization published a report on the results of an experts meeting of CRC screening in the Americas78. Only six countries declared having local screening guides, four declared population-based programmes in pilot experiences (Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Paraguay) and three declared opportunistic programmes (Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay)78. In the Asia-Pacific Region, Australia recommends starting FIT at age 50 years79, Japan offers screening with annual FIT at age 40 years with no upper age limit80, and Taiwan and Korea both offer biennial FIT starting at 50 years3,81,82. The testing modality is mostly biennial faecal occult blood testing or FIT for the majority for regions and countries with programmatic screening. The USA is an outlier, in that FIT and colonoscopy are treated as preferred tests, with colonoscopy being the predominant screening modality16, but Germany also recommends colonoscopy following five negative FITs83. There are no organized CRC screening programmes in African or eastern Mediterranean regions with the exception of Israel, which has implemented an annual FIT screening for individuals 50–74 years of age84, and Abu Dhabi, which recommends colonoscopy screening for individuals over the age of 40 years3. Regardless of modality, screening rates are far from ideal (often close to 20%) and efforts directed at expanding options for CRC screening, patient selection, navigation to a colonoscopy if a non-invasive test is positive and adequate follow-up are needed (Table 2).

Table 2 Comparison of CRC screening guidelines worldwide
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Organized versus opportunistic screening

The International Agency for Research on Cancer defines an organized screening programme as having an explicit policy with specified age categories, method and interval for screening; a defined target population; a management team responsible for implementation; a health-care team for decisions and care; a quality assurance structure; and a method for identifying cancer occurrence in the population85. By contrast, opportunistic screening occurs outside of an organized programme, usually during episodes of care for unrelated problems. Organized screening focuses on the quality of the screening process, including follow-up of participants86. One example of a framework of the screening process in the USA is the Population-based Research Optimizing Screening through Personalized Regimens (PROSPR) consortium model, in which screening progresses through five stages: risk assessment; performance of screening; detection of early cancer or precancerous neoplasms; performance of appropriate follow-up tests (such as colonoscopy after a positive FIT); and referral for treatment87.

Organized screening provides protection against the harms of screening, including underuse, overuse and misuse88,89. Underuse occurs when people due for screening do not complete screening. Underuse also occurs when individuals with a personal or family history of colorectal neoplasia are offered an inappropriate screening test (for example, FIT instead of colonoscopy) or are offered screening at an inappropriate age or interval (for example, offering FIT screening at age 50 years to someone with a strong family history of CRC). Overuse occurs when screening is offered to those who are not yet due, by virtue of a normal, high-quality colonoscopy less than 10 years ago, or unlikely to benefit from screening due to limited life expectancy or frailty increasing the risk of colonoscopy complications90. Overuse of screening has been reported among Medicare beneficiaries and in the VA health-care system91,92. Screening is misused when it is done in a way that achieves no benefits — for example, faecal testing done in a patient who is not due for CRC screening or repeating a FIT after it is positive rather than proceeding to colonoscopy93.

Ultimately, organized screening takes a population-health approach to improve CRC screening practice. Under-screening and over-screening can be managed using an electronic health record to capture key risk factor information and determine who is eligible for screening and who has completed screening. Individuals appropriate for CRC screening can be identified through an automated process generating screening invitations by mail and by secure electronic messages as well as through personal or automated phone calls. Clinical reminders can be generated at the time of an office visit or as part of population tracking94. By ensuring that all members of the eligible population are offered and complete screening, diagnosis, treatment and surveillance, organized screening offers a way to address disparities in CRC screening and a setting in which to test interventions to improve uptake of screening among under-screened groups95,96,97 such as Black, Hispanic, non-native language speaking, uninsured or underinsured, and rural populations.

Organized screening programmes using faecal tests have been implemented throughout the world, including England6, Italy98, the Netherlands7 and Taiwan5, demonstrating a reduction in CRC incidence and mortality5,98,99. In the USA, Kaiser Permanente Northern California launched an organized mailed FIT outreach programme in 2006, with screening colonoscopy available through opportunistic referral based on a physician or patient preference or for patients at increased risk. Between 2000 and 2015, CRC mortality decreased by 52% and CRC incidence decreased by 26%23.

CRC screening tests in development

Blood-based tests

Detection of circulating and cell-free tumour DNA in the blood has opened up a potential for blood-based testing for CRC and advanced neoplasia100. Two challenges of these tests are the rarity of tumour-derived DNA in the blood and the age-related accumulation of mutations associated with cancer101,102. In 2021, the CMS provided guidance that, to meet approval thresholds, a blood-based test needs to have 90% specificity and 74% sensitivity for CRC compared to an accepted standard (such as colonoscopy) and must be approved by the FDA and endorsed by at least one professional society guideline (CAG-00454N)103. There are at least five tests under development (as discussed later). Most of the tests target early detection of CRC, whereas at least two are multi-cancer tests. Tests aimed at early detection of CRC or its precursors are easier to understand in terms of the next steps and the potential reduction in CRC-related incidence and mortality from early screening. The multi-cancer tests have a complex follow-up and the diagnostic value of the detection of different cancers and the benefit of earlier detection are unclear. Other than cancers where there is evidence supporting a benefit to screening (breast, cervix, lung), detection of inconsequential cancers can lead to over-testing, over-diagnosis and harm, in addition to anxiety for the patient104. In the multi-cancer tests, diagnostic accuracy seems highest for CRC105,106. The currently accepted CRC screening tests (based on established mortality reduction) rely on the structural identification of polyps or cancer (for example, colonoscopy) or blood in the stool (FIT). Any molecular or genetic tests might detect lesions with different biology, and the effect on incidence and mortality is harder to quantify. However, the US Preventive Services Task Force and other US guideline groups have made a policy decision to include newer tests (such as the mtsDNA test) based solely on sensitivity and specificity, without regard to possible differences in tumour biology74. In general, a blood-based test has public appeal for being minimally invasive, the ability to be coupled with other routine blood tests and the potential for high adherence using home-based phlebotomy. Adler et al.107 reported in a German study that 97% of 109 individuals refusing colonoscopy screening accept a non-invasive test and 83% chose a blood test. However, in an Australian setting, home-based stool testing seemed better for increasing participation than a hypothetical blood-based test requiring a visit to a laboratory108 (Table 3; Fig. 2).

Table 3 Novel and other non-invasive CRC screening tests under development
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A number of blood-based tests for CRC screening are in development. The combination of cell-free methylated DNA with protein sorted by an artificial intelligence–machine learning classifier test under evaluation by Freenome is designed to identify patterns of cell-free biomarkers in the blood for the early detection of cancer. The PREEMPT trial (NCT04369053)109 is a prospective multicentre study started in 2020 that plans to recruit 25,000 individuals at average risk aged between 45 and 85 years undergoing colonoscopy screening in the USA. Primary end points are sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CRC and the expected completion year is 2022. The circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) LUNAR test by Guardant Health is designed to detect ctDNA in blood. The ECLIPSE trial (NCT04136002)110 is a prospective multicentre study, started in 2019, that plans to recruit 10,000 individuals at average risk aged 45–84 years undergoing colonoscopy screening. Primary end points are sensitivity and specificity for detection of CRC and the expected completion year is 2024.

Cohen et al.106 reported the results of their study using a multi-omics test of ctDNA and protein with an artificial intelligence–machine learning classifier among people with known cancers (CancerSEEK) to identify eight common cancers, including CRC, by determining the levels of circulating proteins and mutations in ctDNA. The sensitivity of the test was 73% and 78% for stage II and III cancers, respectively, and 43% for stage I cancers, with the highest sensitivity for CRC (84%). The primary case–control study (NCT04213326)111 has enrolled, since 2019, 6,399 individuals without cancer as well as individuals with cancer aged 50 years and older. Primary end points are sensitivity and specificity for the detection of invasive cancer and the expected completion year is 2022. Furthermore, Clinical Genomics is conducting a prospective multicentre stool-based and blood-based biomarker study (NCT00843375)112 for early detection of CRC and advanced neoplasia; this test targets a methylated ctDNA marker113. The study plans to recruit 1,800 individuals at average risk aged 18 years and older in the USA, and the expected completion year is 2022.

A multi-cancer early-detection test by GRAIL (Galleri) seeks to detect early invasive cancers such as breast, colorectal, pancreatic, lung and haematological malignancies in blood. The Circulating Cell-free Genome Atlas (CCGA), a prospective case-controlled, observational study, published its validation sub-study in 2021 (ref.105), reporting on results across 50 cancers in 4,077 participants. Specificity was reported at 99.5% (95% CI 99.0–99.8%) and overall sensitivity for cancer was 51.5%. Sensitivity was reported as 82.0% for CRC but was only 43.3% for stage I CRC (13 of 30 cases), 85.0% for stage II (34 of 40), 87.9% for stage III (58 of 66) and 95.3% for stage IV (61 of 64). Advanced adenomas were not an end point of this study. The GRAIL test is now available as a laboratory-developed test in the USA but is not covered by insurance and the list price is US$949 (ref.114). The PATHFINDER study is a prospective multicentre study started in 2019 and plans to recruit 6,600 individuals at average risk aged 50 years and older across the USA for the detection of multiple cancers, including CRC. Primary end points are sensitivity and specificity for detection of invasive cancer, and the expected completion year is 2022. Another ongoing study is NHS-Galleri in the UK, which plans to enrol 165,000 individuals in the UK aged 40 years and older115.

MRI colonography

MR colonography is a newly developed non-invasive method for evaluating the colon for colorectal polyps and CRC116. It also enables the evaluation of extracolonic findings and cancer metastases. Advantages over CTC are the absence of ionizing radiation in MR colonography, but it does require a bowel preparation similar to CTC116. Patients need to be screened for general contraindications to MRI, including the presence of metallic implants or severe claustrophobia. During the procedure, the colon is distended using water, air or carbon dioxide, and the patient needs to change positions, similar to CTC. A systematic review summarizing 14 trials with a total of 1,305 patients reported a CRC detection rate of 98.2%, with pooled sensitivity for detection of large polyps of 82% and for any polyps of 38%. Most of the studies applied a dark lumen technique (n = 11) via rectal administration of either warm tap water (n = 5), air (n = 4), warm tap water in one group and air in another group (n = 1), or using a fat enema (n = 1) as a contrast agent. Adverse events included water spillage and/or incontinence, and one report of painful constipation after the use of highly concentrated barium sulfate116. The technology is promising but more large studies are needed.

CT capsule

A novel prepless X-ray imaging capsule, called Check-Cap, emits low-dose X-ray beams by a rotating miniature electric motor as the capsule travels through the colon117. A bowel preparation is not required but a small amount of radiopaque contrast agent is used to increase the contrast in the colon walls and differentiate polyp from stool. The X-ray images are captured by the capsule from slices of the colon as it moves and sends them via a radiofrequency link to the capsule positioning system in an external recording unit positioned on the patient’s back. In preliminary safety studies118, 49 capsules were ingested by 46 volunteers. Total patient radiation exposure was 0.03 ± 0.0007 mSv, about the dose of radiation from one chest X-ray118. Further multicentre studies to validate the performance of this capsule are under way.

The COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented decrease in CRC screening and colonoscopy procedures worldwide119,120. During the height of the pandemic, CRC screening activity was decreased by 85–95%. Care delivery was abruptly shut down and, after the resumption of full-scale operations, patients often declined colonoscopies due to fear of exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and scheduling processes were more difficult due to the need for pre-procedure SARS-CoV-2 viral testing121. Delayed CRC screening and surveillance will likely result in adenomatous polyps progressing to advanced adenomas or CRC and to cancers being detected at a later, less treatable stage122. The main evidence concerning the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been obtained from modelling studies. A modelling study published in 2021 using CRC-specific models for Australia, Canada and the Netherlands reported that disruption in screening for up to 12 months could result in a relative increase in CRC incidence by 0.6–1.8%, and that providing immediate catch-up screening could minimize the impact of the disruption to less than 0.1% by 2050 (ref.123). Early estimates were that there would be approximately 10,000 excess deaths in the USA alone from breast cancer and CRC due to pandemic-related disruptions in care124, and models estimate that 18,800 individuals in the USA might experience delays in CRC diagnosis125. Over time, it is apparent that the rate of recovery of CRC screening will determine how large an effect deferring CRC screening will have on CRC incidence and mortality126. The implementation of organized screening using a population-based approach and leveraging non-invasive screening with FIT is an excellent way to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic121.

Conclusions

In the USA, only 67% of patients are up to date with CRC screening, as reported in 2021 (ref.127). Although colonoscopy is highly sensitive and specific for CRC detection and polyp removal, it is invasive, expensive and resource intensive. Hence, there is an unfulfilled need for multiple-modality CRC screening that can improve current CRC screening rates. Newer technologies might be resource-effective strategies when used to select patients for colonoscopy. Our Review highlights the complementary, often underutilized, non-invasive CRC screening methods with a focus on performance, risks, benefits and recent updates in non-invasive screening tests that will likely change the landscape of CRC screening. Implementation of these new approaches to screening and surveillance will require physicians to understand the advantages and limitations of these new technologies as well as a shared decision-making process with our patients.