NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Enhancing Use and Quality of Colorectal Cancer Screening
Since the start of the New Year, Spectrum has attended several events focused on colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. On January 28, Olympus and C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition brought together many of the nation's preeminent colorectal cancer experts for "The State of Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention Forum" to discuss the importance of colorectal cancer screening. The message delivered from each of the panel members, who ranged in background from MDs and PhDs to legislative and advocacy experts, was clear - screening for this disease saves lives.
F. Mark Gumz, President and CEO of Olympus, noted that "We have the technology and expertise today to effectively prevent and treat CRC, but unfortunately, there are still close to 150,000 new cases and 50,000 deaths annually from this disease." Laura Seeff, MD, who manages the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Screen for Life Awareness Campaign, reported that "If everyone aged 50 years or older were screened regularly, as many as 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided."
This week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a State-of-the-Science Conference on Enhancing the Use and Quality of Colorectal Cancer Screening. The conference panel of experts, who specialized in cancer surveillance, epidemiology, gastroenterology, health economics, health policy and community health interventions, weighed testimony from experts in the field and reviewed the available scientific research to help answer key questions aimed at understanding:
- Current screening rates
- Barriers to screening
- Differences in screening modalities
- The capacity of the healthcare system to offer screening, and
- Quality of the screening services provided
Presenters applauded the increasing rates of colorectal cancer screening, up to almost 60 percent in 2008, but also acknowledged that there are still millions of at-risk Americans who fail to be screened for colorectal cancer each year.
To address this gap, panelists formulated a draft consensus statement issued by NIH on the last day of the conference, which will be finalized over the next weeks. The statement addressed key questions and outlined recommendations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates throughout the country, which include:
- Eliminating financial barriers to improve colorectal cancer screening and follow-up rates
- Implementing targeted interventions, tailored to specific populations and sub-populations, that have been proven effective to increase colorectal cancer screening
- Matching characteristics and preferences of screening modalities to population groups in an effort to increase colorectal cancer screening
- Increasing surveillance and follow-up of positive colorectal cancer screening results
- Developing systems to assure high quality of colorectal cancer screening programs
- Ensuring adequate capacity for screening in healthcare facilities throughout the country
Prevention has been a hot topic for the Obama administration, and he specifically noted the importance of colorectal cancer screening in his September 2009 healthcare reform address to a joint session of Congress stating that "There's no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse." Additionally, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) provides its only Grade 'A' recommendation, the strongest on the scale, for cancer screening to colorectal cancer screens.
As we approach National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, I hope Americans will heed the warnings of colorectal cancer experts and, if you are 50 or older, talk to your doctor about a colorectal cancer screening test. Admittedly, the screening may be uncomfortable, but it is a solid prevention tactic proven to save lives.
For more information on colorectal cancer prevention, screening and diagnosis, visit:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- American College of Gastroenterology
- Colon Cancer Alliance
- C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition
Christina Plourde, Molly Poarch, Maggie Schmerin
Tags: coloncancer
