Systematic review of colorectal cancer screening guidelines for average-risk adults: Summarizing the current global recommendations

Table 3 Summarized recommendations for colorectal cancer screening in average risk individuals, published in Asia between 2007 and 2017

Continent	Country/region	Year	Age	Screening tests recommended	Recommendation	Note
Asia	South Korea	2012	≥ 50	Colonoscopy (at least 5 years) is the priority OR FOBT (FIT) OR CTC OR DCBE	Colonoscopy (strong recommendation; low-quality evidence) with 5-year interval (weak recommendation; very low-quality evidence). FOBT (strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence). CTC (strong recommendation; low-quality evidence). DCBE (weak recommendation; low-quality evidence)	FS efficacy is recognized, but FS not widely used because it doesn't explore entire colon, might need a colonoscopy after, and FS less preferred by individuals and physicians
	China	2014	50-74	FOBT (chemical FOBT or FIT) + Questionnaire every 3 yr	-
	Asia Pacific	2015	50-75	FIT (preferred choice) OR FS OR colonoscopy (intervals not mentioned)	A for FIT; A for FS; B for colonoscopy	FIT is preferred over gFOBT
	Saudi Arabia	2015	45-69	Colonoscopy (10 yr) is the recommended modality; if not possible: FS (5 yr)+ FIT/gFOBT (1 yr) OR FS (3 yr)	Colonoscopy: Strong recommendation; low-quality evidence. FS: Strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence.	FIT is preferred over gFOBT. FOBT used alone is not recommended, but could be used depending on availability of other modalities.
			≥ 70	Screening not recommended	Conditional recommendation; low-quality evidence	Screening for people over 70 could be beneficial in certain cases (depending on health status)

CRC: Colorectal cancer; FS: Flexible sigmoidoscopy; DCBE: Double contrast barium enema; CTC: CT colonography; FOBT: Fecal occult blood test; gFOBT: Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test; FIT: Fecal immunochemical test.