March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States [1]. Although proactive screening can detect cancer during early stages when it is less dangerous and less costly to treat, many people are not engaging as recommended. Increasing screening awareness and accessibility is crucial to helping members of your workforce overcome barriers to effective screening and improving outcomes. Keep reading to learn more.
The benefits of colorectal cancer screening and early detection
Colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable and treatable forms of cancer, and regular screening tests can be very effective in reducing risk. However, a study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) has revealed that over 73% of adults in the United States did not receive a screening recommendation from their clinician despite having attended a wellness visit in the past year [2].
Without early detection and treatment, colorectal cancer can be extremely costly to treat. In 2020, the cost of colorectal cancer care was $24.3 billion [3]. Increasing screening prevalence can help address this financial burden. If screening prevalence increased to 70% among adults aged 50 to 64, Medicare spending could decrease by $14 billion by 2050 [3].
Navigating alternative colorectal cancer screening options
The most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is routine screening. When it comes to colorectal cancer, there are alternative screening options that can offer insight into colon cancer risk, such as a stool-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT) test, which may be less intimidating than a colonoscopy. Genetic testing can also offer insight into one’s risk for Lynch Syndrome, one of the most common causes of hereditary colorectal cancer.
FIT testing
For HR benefits professionals, FIT tests offer an accessible and convenient way to help individuals engage in screening as recommended. LetsGetChecked’s Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test offers a way to screen large populations in an affordable and accessible way, helping address the burdens posed by delayed screenings.
Although FIT testing is not a complete replacement for a colonoscopy, it can play a vital role in screening for colorectal cancer. This convenient, noninvasive stool analysis can encourage individuals to take the first important step in detecting colorectal cancer early, increasing screening rates and positively affecting population health.
Genetic testing
Genetic testing can help show if members of certain families have inherited an increased risk of colorectal cancer due to inherited cancer syndromes. Delivering genetic testing for inherited risk of colorectal cancer in an affordable and accessible way is vital for improving utilization.
LetsGetChecked’s genomics solution, myGeneticScreen, analyzes risk for three hereditary conditions, including Lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. This solution can help facilitate the early detection of colorectal cancer to help improve outcomes and drive down overall treatment costs per patient.
Learn more about myGeneticScreen.
Partner with LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked makes it easy to leverage a colorectal cancer screening program so your employees can overcome screening barriers and easily stay up-to-date on recommended testing. Your people will feel empowered with our easy-to-use sample collection kits. Get in touch with us to learn how we can work together to build a solution for your workforce’s needs.
References
- https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf
- https://pressroom.cancer.org/releases?item=1252
- https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/colorectal-cancer.html#
