Colorectal cancer screening in the COVID-19 era

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most diagnosed form of cancer and second most deadly cancer worldwide.Introduction of better screening has improved both incidence and mortality.However,as the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic began,healthcare resources were shunted away from cancer screening services resulting in a sharp decrease in CRC screening and a backlog of patients awaiting screening tests.This may have significant effects on CRC cancer mortality,as delayed screening may lead to advanced cancer at diagnosis.Strategies to overcome COVID-19 related disruption include utilizing stool-based cancer tests,developing screening protocols based on individual risk factors,expanding telehealth,and increasing open access colonoscopies.In this review,we will summarize the effects of COVID-19 on CRC screening,the potential longoutcomes,and ways to adapt CRC screening during this global pandemic.