In the News
New colorectal cancer screening guidelines discussed on CBS LA
Dr. Fola May, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, recently joined CBS Los Angeles to highlight the American Cancer Society’s updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines—the first update since 2018.
The new guidance introduces three key updates to screening options:
- Cologuard Plus is now recommended as a stool-based screening test. This newer version improves upon the original DNA-based Cologuard test with enhanced performance.
- ColoSense, a new RNA-based stool test, has been added as another recommended screening option.
- The Shield blood test is now recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to complete a stool-based test or undergo a colonoscopy.
The guidelines continue to emphasize that screening should begin at age 45 and underscore the importance of expanding screening access to increase early detection. While these new noninvasive options may improve participation, colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. Watch Dr. May’s full interview to learn more about these updates and their potential impact
Mail-in test for colorectal cancer may help expand screening in community health centers
In partnership with community health centers (CHCs), investigators from Mass General Brigham and UCLA Health mailed one of two stool-based colorectal cancer screening tests to more than 5,000 participants in Boston and Los Angeles. The study found that participants were more likely to complete screening when they received a newer stool-based test. However, follow-up colonoscopy rates remained low among those with abnormal results. Findings were published in JAMA Internal Medicine. "Our team was fortunate to have funding from Stand Up to Cancer to conduct this important health disparities research,” said first author Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and investigator at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Our findings inform how we make colorectal cancer screening tests available to the populations who need them the most." Read more about the randomized trial, which showed higher uptake of the newer screening test while highlighting the ongoing need to improve follow-up colonoscopy rates
Colorectal cancer and The Couric Effect: Awareness to action to advocacy
Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented through screening, yet far too many people aren’t getting screened on time. In this episode of Medically Speaking, Dr. Eve Glazier welcomes back the show’s very first guest, award-winning journalist Katie Couric, for an ongoing conversation and call to action for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Joined by Fola May, MD, PhD, MPhil, UCLA Health gastroenterologist and researcher, they discuss what’s changed in the conversation around colorectal cancer, why screening matters more than ever, the symptoms people should never ignore, and how to choose among today’s screening options. They also explore the barriers that keep people from follow-through — and why turning awareness into action can save lives.
Watch the Medically Speaking Podcast on | |
Insight on rising colorectal cancer deaths in adults under 50
Overall, cancer death rates among people under age 50 have dropped by 44% since 1990. Colorectal cancer is the only exception, deaths from this disease have increased, making it the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. While the overall decline in encouraging, the rise in colorectal cancer among younger people is a “stark and concerning trend,” says Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, associate professor of medicine in the UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. May participated in multiple media interviews, alongside colorectal cancer survivors, to raise awareness about the trend, promote early detection and screening, and highlight ongoing research at UCLA Health.
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A look at the latest progress in colorectal cancer prevention and research
Colorectal cancer has been rising in young adults for more than two decades and is now the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50. The trend is particularly concerning because overall cancer deaths continue to decline, highlighting the need for better prevention, earlier detection and more effective treatments. Researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are addressing this challenge on multiple fronts, from boosting screening and expanding access to care to developing new therapies for advanced disease. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights
What to know about colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer starts as a polyp, a growth, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps are common, especially as we age, and most are noncancerous. Some polyps, however, can turn into cancer over time, forming cancer cells in the wall of the colon or rectum, where they can grow into blood vessels that can spread to other parts of the body. The American Cancer Society estimates 158,850 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2026 in the U.S., with 55,230 deaths. Dr. Folasade May discusses prevention, diagnosis and when to get screened for colorectal cancer. Read more about colorectal cancer in UCLA Health News
Lifetime alcohol use linked to higher risk of colorectal cancer, new study finds
A new study in Cancer found that heavy lifetime alcohol use is associated with a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals who consistently exceeded recommended drinking limits throughout adulthood had a 91% higher risk compared with lifelong light drinkers or those with breaks in heavy drinking. The study also suggests that people who quit drinking may lower their risk of developing precancerous tissue. “These numbers are not guarantees, but signals to do something before it’s too late,” said Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, GI specialist and associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity. “Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent or catch early, but fewer than 70% of eligible people get screened.” Read more: ABC News | iHeartRadio
TikTok’s new favorite drink? It’s hot water
A new wellness trend is heating up on TikTok: drinking plain hot water first thing in the morning. Rooted in Eastern medicine traditions, the practice is gaining momentum online as people claim it supports digestion, reduces bloating, and helps with regularity. While scientific evidence is limited, experts note that staying hydrated, in any form, offers meaningful health benefits. Many people also find warm water soothing and easier to drink in the morning. Dr. Fola May, associate professor of medicine, provides expert insight on the trend in a recent in this
Too many toots? What excessive farting says about your health
Everyone passes gas — even during yoga class or in the middle of the night — but how much is too much? Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, gastroenterologist at UCLA Health, joins other experts in a recent HuffPost article to discuss what’s considered normal and when excessive gas may signal something worth checking out. Read the full HuffPost article