Which screening test is recommended for ALL adults starting at age 45 (or earlier for high-risk individuals) to detect colorectal cancer?

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING is recommended for all adults beginning at age 45 (the American Cancer Society updated their recommendation from 50 to 45 in 2018 due to rising rates in younger adults; the USPSTF now recommends starting at 45 as well). Earlier screening is recommended for HIGHER-RISK individuals: family history of colorectal cancer or polyps; personal history of polyps; inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis); Lynch syndrome or other hereditary conditions — these individuals may start at 40 or younger, depending on the specific risk. SCREENING OPTIONS: COLONOSCOPY every 10 years (gold standard — both diagnostic and therapeutic, can remove polyps during the same procedure); FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST (FIT) or FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST (FOBT) — annually; STOOL DNA TEST (Cologuard) every 1-3 years; CT COLONOGRAPHY (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years; FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY every 5 years. NURSING ROLE: provide education about colorectal cancer risk and the importance of screening; discuss available options; reinforce that colonoscopy prep (bowel preparation) is required and review instructions; remind that positive stool tests require follow-up colonoscopy. MAMMOGRAPHY is for breast cancer screening (annually or every 2 years starting at age 40-50 depending on risk and guidelines used). PSA is for prostate cancer screening in men (individualized decision starting at age 50-55). CHEST X-RAY/CT: low-dose CT for lung cancer screening is recommended for high-risk adults (current or former heavy smokers ages 50-80).