Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Older Patients (PLCO Screening Trial)

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Colon Carcinoma, Rectal Carcinoma

In brief

This clinical trial studies whether screening methods used to diagnose cancer of the prostate, lung, colon, rectum, or ovaries can reduce deaths from these cancers. Screening tests may help doctors find cancer cells early and plan better treatment for colorectal cancer.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01696981

Run by

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

People needed

154900

Starts

1993-11-16

Expected to finish

2027-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-24

Who can join

Age: 55 and older, up to 74. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Men and women who at the time of randomization are less than 55 or greater than or equal to 75 years of age
• Individuals undergoing treatment for cancer at this time, excluding basal-cell and squamous-cell skin cancer
• Individuals with known prior cancer of the colon, rectum, lung, prostate
• This includes primary or metastatic PLCO cancers
• Individuals with previous surgical removal of the entire colon, one lung, or the entire prostate (men only)
• Until October 1996, women with previous surgical removal of both ovaries were excluded from the trial. In order to increase the enrollment of women into the trial, beginning in October 1996, these women were no longer excluded for this reason.
• Individuals who are participating in another cancer screening or cancer primary prevention trial
• Males who have taken Proscar/Propecia/finasteride in the past 6 months
• NOTE: Individuals who are already enrolled in the trial when their physician prescribes finasteride are not prevented from taking this medication. As a result, these participants will continue to be screened and followed just as those participants who are not on finasteride.
• NOTE: Men who are taking Tamoxifen are not excluded from any part of the PLCO Screening Trial.
• Prior to April 1, 1999 women were excluded from the trial if they were currently taking or had taken Tamoxifen or Evista\\Raloxifene in the past 6 months. As of April 1999 based on a decision from the PLCO Ovary Subcommittee, women who have or are currently taking Tamoxifen or Evista\\Raloxifene are not excluded from participation.
• Individuals who are unwilling or unable to sign the informed consent form
• Males who have had more than one PSA blood test in the past three years
• Individuals who have had a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or barium enema in the past three years

Where it is running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.