Colonoscopies after age 75 may present more risk than benefit.

Reuters (8/12, Doyle) reports on a study published online in JAMA Internal Medicine finding that the risks from colonoscopies after age 75 may outweigh benefits due to the low recurrence rate of colon cancer. The study covered over 5,000 persons over 75 who were undergoing surveillance colonoscopies due to a previous history of colorectal cancer or high-risk polyps. It found that just five colon cancers were identified in older patients, but that 527 patients were hospitalized in the month following a colonoscopy, about one-third of which were due to complications from the colonoscopy. Researchers concluded that colonoscopies after age 75 should be conducted only rarely.