The American Cancer Society Just Changed Its Guidelines Around Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Millions of Americans may book an extra doctor's appointment this year, thanks to updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The ACS is now recommending that adults at average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screenings at age 45, rather than the previous standard of age 50. The change was informed by research from ACS scientists, who found last year that cancers of the colon and rectum are occurring at increasing rates among young and middle-aged adults.