Colon Cancer text with medication

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Screening for CRC is a substantially underused preventive health strategy in the United States. About one-third of those in the recommended age range for colon cancer screening — have not been tested.  Offering choices in CRC screening strategies may increase screening uptake.

Recently the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated recommendations to include several different methods to get more Americans screened for CRC.

Check out this recent story by NPR which offered information on colorectal cancer screenings and coverage options. The article offers five updates on topics related to:

  • Updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines
  • Less ‘invasive’ screening options
  • Co-payments/coverage
  • Advantages of different test options

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Broadway actress Karen Walsh is in the midst of battling stage IV colon cancer.  She is promoting colon cancer screening by inviting celebrities, family and friends to take themed photographs with her during her chemo treatments. Karen’s story was told via a video collage produced by PopSugar. Check it out.

WebEx Opportunity: Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screenings

The Great Plains QIN is offering a WebEx on July 27, 2016 (10 – 11:00 a.m.) on Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screenings. Prevention and early detection improves health, saves lives and reduces healthcare costs. Attend this WebEx to learn ways to improve screening rates in the African American and the Native American populations. For more information and the registration details, visit our Calendar of events.

To learn more about the Great Plains QIN’s efforts to improve colorectal cancer screening rates, visit our Web site or contact Tasha Peltier in North Dakota, Denise Kolba in South Dakota, Jennifer Geisert in Nebraska or Kaitlin Nolte in Kansas.