Colorectal cancer can have a significant effect on the lives of those diagnosed and their loved ones. Fortunately, colorectal cancer incidence rates have been declining, in part, due to the increase in screening.1
- Screening allows detection/removal of precancerous polyps and the detection of early stages of colorectal cancer when treatment is usually less extensive and potentially more successful1
A screening goal for Americans has been established by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT): to increase the number of people screened to 80% by 2018.2
NCCRT Goal: 80% Screened by 2018
You can help achieve this goal by playing a key role in driving awareness of colorectal cancer screening:
- Encourage employer customers to promote screening to employees
- Leverage the communication/education resources available through the Love Your Colon initiative to inform individual members about the value of regular screening
How to Drive Awareness:
Educating Customers and Plan Members
References
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society Pub. No. 500819. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2019/cancer-facts-and-figures-2019.pdf. Accessed January 28, 2019.
- 80% by 2018. National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable website. http://nccrt.org/what-we-do/80-percent-by-2018/. Accessed January 28, 2019.
- Meester RG, Doubeni CA, Zauber AG, et al. Public health impact of achieving 80% colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States by 2018. Cancer. 2015;121(13):2281-2285.
