Shared Decision Making in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, yet it is highly preventable through timely screening. This study reviews current CRC screening modalities—including colonoscopy, stool-based tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography, and capsule endoscopy—highlighting their respective strengths, limitations, and societal recommendations. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring screening strategies to individual patient risk profiles, including age, family history, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors. These screening modalities are discussed in the context of shared decision making, which is a critical strategy for primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, and colorectal surgeons to guide patients through screening choices, especially in underserved populations facing socioeconomic and cultural barriers.