Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Increased screening for CRC have been associated with a decreased incidence in the past two decades. Continued efforts are necessary to maintain this trend. Appropriate risk stratification of individuals and compliance with recommended screening strategies are important. Colonoscopy continues to play an important role in screening; however, several different screening options are available for average-risk individuals. This article reviews the current options open to physicians to adequately screen patients for CRC based on inherit risks.

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Recurrent or chronic abdominal pain can be a challenging problem when conventional diagnostic studies fail to identify the cause. It is estimated that up to one-third of children suffer from abdominal pain, and in this population recurrent pain can be even more challenging. Although recurrent right lower quadrant (RLQ) or periumbilical pain may be attributed to chronic appendicitis, this diagnosis remains controversial. Our aim was to evaluate pediatric patients who had undergone laparoscopic exploration for chronic RLQ abdominal pain to determine their histologic diagnosis, etiology of pain, and contributing factors that may predict a positive outcome. Patients with abdominal pain greater than 1 month in duration who ultimately underwent laparoscopic exploration and appendectomy were included in the study. Patients were excluded if an identified source of pain was discovered during preoperative workup, or if postoperative follow-up was less than 2 years. Intraoperative findings were noted, and all specimens were histologically examined with additional, subsequent independent review. Pertinent findings from preoperative diagnostic tests, mental health history, and pre and postoperative symptomatology were noted. Patient outcomes were recorded at the time of follow-up and after 2 years to assess resolution of their symptoms. Of the 44 patients studied, 31 (70.5%) had partial or complete resolution of symptoms at 2 years. Thirteen (29.5%) continued to have pain. Twenty-eight patients (63.6%) had abnormal histology identified on appendiceal examination, and 14 had other abnormalities found at laparoscopy (31.8%). Eighteen patients were being treated for psychiatric diagnosis, and 21 suffered from chronic headaches. There were no long-term complications from surgery. Long-term follow-up revealed that 70% reported complete or partial relief of their RLQ pain at 2 years. No factors were identified that may be helpful in predicating outcome in this population. While exploration was beneficial for a majority of this population, patients and parents should be warned that this intervention might not provide the relief of symptoms or provide the diagnostic answer to their pain.

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DMC are a significant public health issue in mid-western states. Education about helmet and alcohol use and safety on rural roads may be the best prevention. Continued research focusing on prevention is necessary.