Follow-up colonoscopy decisions for adults 75 and older
Official title: Surveillance Colonoscopy in Older Adults: The SurvOlderAdults Study
Funded at VA San Diego Healthcare System · NIH-11219733 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether getting routine follow-up colonoscopies after polyp removal helps people aged 75 and older avoid colorectal cancer while weighing the procedure risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003605-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11219733 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 75 and older with a prior history of polyp (adenoma) removal, especially Veterans receiving care in the VA system.
✕Less likely to help
People younger than 75, those without a history of polyps, or individuals with hereditary high-risk colorectal syndromes would generally not be the focus and may not benefit from these results.
What this research studies
If you are 75 or older and previously had a polyp removed, researchers will use VA health records to compare outcomes for people who had surveillance colonoscopies with those who did not. They will track new colorectal cancer diagnoses, deaths, and colonoscopy-related complications while accounting for other health problems that affect life expectancy. The team plans to measure whether the potential cancer-prevention benefit is large enough to outweigh the higher risks of colonoscopy in older adults. Results aim to help doctors and patients decide when surveillance is likely to help or to cause more harm than benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help older adults avoid unnecessary colonoscopies and focus surveillance on those most likely to benefit.
How similar studies have gone: Previous evidence is limited and mixed, so this question about the added value of surveillance in older adults remains uncertain.
Where this research is happening
-
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gupta, Samir — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Gupta, Samir
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Colonoscopy with light-based tissue fingerprints to detect colorectal cancer
This project tests a new imaging method during colonoscopy to better spot and classify colorectal lesions in adults undergoing routine screening.
-
Improving colonoscopy training with sensorized manikins and computer coaching
This project builds realistic sensor-equipped practice manikins and a computer coach to help doctors learn colonoscopy skills faster and more safely.
-
Video-based tool to boost colonoscopy quality for low-volume doctors
A new, AI-assisted video-based approach helps lower-volume colonoscopy doctors perform higher-quality screenings to catch polyps and reduce cancer risk.
-
Support to help people in rural areas get a colonoscopy
This project tests whether one-on-one patient navigation helps adults in rural, low-income communities complete a colonoscopy after a positive stool (FIT) test.
-
Helping people complete colonoscopy after an abnormal stool test
This project uses team-based care and technology to help people with an abnormal at-home stool test (FIT) finish their follow-up colonoscopy.
-
Helping people get recommended follow-up colonoscopies after high-risk colon polyps
This program uses electronic records and automated reminders to help patients and doctors complete the recommended three-year follow-up colonoscopy after high-risk colorectal polyps.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.