| Colorectal cancer
is the third most common cancer among both
men and women in the United States. It is
the second leading cause of cancer deaths
in the U.S. (behind lung cancer), accounting
for about 10% of all cancer deaths. Over
56,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are
expected to occur in the U.S. in 2005.2
Colorectal cancer develops slowly and
is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
In addition, less than one-fourth of colorectal
cancer cases are associated with a family
history of the disorder.3 These characteristics
of the disease make early detection particularly
important and effective.
Colonoscopy is one of the most effective
screening tools for the prevention and
treatment of colorectal cancer. The American
Cancer Society currently recommends colonoscopy
every 10 years starting at age 50 for
asymptomatic adults at average risk for
colorectal cancer and more frequently
for those at increased or high risk. Overall,
it has been shown that colonoscopic polypectomy
(removal of polyp found by this screening
process) lowers the incidence of colorectal
cancers by 50%-90% (Medline); furthermore,
if detected early (stage 1), 85-95 percent
of patients with colorectal cancer can
be cured. Unfortunately, if detected in
a later stage, the average 5-year survival
rate is 50 percent or less.4
The US Preventive Services Task Force
(USPSTF) strongly recommends that clinicians
screen men and women 50 years of age or
older for colorectal cancer:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/colorectal/colorr.pdf
For more info on Cancer screening see:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening
&
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening
For information on this measure, see:
http://healthdisparities.net/hdc/Library/7-19-2005.7366/CancerMeasures_Mar05.pdf
http://www.ncqa.org/docs/SOHCQ_2005.pdf
(page 36)
http://www.healthdisparities.net/hdc/html/collaboratives.topics.cancer.aspx
For information on treatment, see:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/treatment
&
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/adulttreatment
Screening has been proven to prevent
and/or ameliorate the course of a number
of serious medical conditions. Screening
for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers
can reduce illness and death through early
detection of cancers and pre-cancers.
Colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers
accounted for nearly a fifth of all U.S.
cancer deaths in 2001, according to the
CDC’s National Center for Health
Statistics. .
This measure examines the continuity of
care at health center grantees for cancer
screening including provider education
and adherence, patient outreach and health
education, follow up, referral, and appointment
systems for the existing cancer screening
protocol. The measure ties into GPRA Measure
II.A.3
Other guidelines and references:
- http://www.cancer.org/colonmd/pdfs/fact_sheet.pdf
- http://www.cancer.org/colonmd/pdfs/ColonCancerFactSheet2005.doc
- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/colorectal
- Redaelli A, Cranor CW, Okano GJ,
Reese PR. Screening, prevention and
socioeconomic costs
associated with the treatment of colorectal
cancer. Pharmacoeconomics. 2003;21(17):1213-
1238.
|
