Colorectal cancer screening and surveillance: the present and the future.

Colorectal cancer screening is now proven to be effective and is widely endorsed by guidelines committees. Several forms of screening have merit, but the screening tests used in individual patients are often dictated by insurers. The use of screening colonoscopy is expected to increase. Gastroenterologists will play the central role in ensuring the safe and cost-effective application of colonoscopy to screening and surveillance.