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The CRC Digest

Friday, September 18, 2026

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IMPORTANT: The CRC Digest curates and summarizes publicly available research for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this newsletter constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Content is generated with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team. We are not medical professionals. Individual results, treatments, and outcomes vary.

CRC Research Update

• ▪ SCREENING

  Five-year colonoscopy surveillance may be as safe as three-year intervals after high-risk polyp removal

  A European randomized trial compared colonoscopy at 5 years versus 3 years after removal of high-risk adenomas (≥10 mm, high-grade dysplasia, villous features, or 3–10 adenomas), with 10-year colorectal cancer incidence as the primary endpoint. (N Engl J Med)

• ♥ LIVING WITH CRC

  Fatigue remains common five years after rectal cancer treatment

  The QoLiRECT study investigated fatigue prevalence at 5 years after rectal cancer surgery using the Piper Fatigue Scale, examining baseline characteristics and treatment-related factors as potential predictors of moderate-severe fatigue. (Acta Oncol)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy may expand checkpoint blockade benefit in mismatch repair-proficient rectal cancer

  Adding immune checkpoint blockade to chemoradiotherapy has been associated with pathological complete response rates of 30% or more in pMMR rectal cancer trials, higher than expected with chemoradiotherapy alone, though long-term disease control data remain early endpoints. (Ann Gastroenterol Surg)

• ▪ SCREENING

  Rural and Appalachian communities face geographic barriers to colonoscopy access

  A national geospatial analysis of all contiguous US census tracts quantified colonoscopy provider access and screening prevalence, comparing rural-urban and Appalachian-non-Appalachian regions where CRC incidence and mortality are disproportionately high. (Prev Chronic Dis)

This week's research spans surveillance intervals, long-term survivorship, and efforts to extend immunotherapy benefit beyond MSI-H disease.