Prevention

- Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with CRC is about 5.9 percent in men and 5.5 percent in women.

While mortality rates for CRC have been declining in recent years, the most current mortality rate available for CRC is 30 percent. This figure demonstrates a continued need and significant room for improvement in the indicator, and is the basis for our work on this initiative.

According to the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey only 53 percent of Iowans over age 50 reported that their physician recommended a screening test for colorectal cancer.  Early detection and treatment are the best defenses against colorectal cancer. The five-year survival rate for cancers caught early is more than 90 percent.

IFMC is working with practices to utilize their Electronic Health Record system to reduce colorectal cancer mortality and the incidence of late-stage detection among Medicare beneficiaries. We will assist to develop action plans and workflow processes to efficiently capture, track, and generate data in order to ensure appropriate preventive care management of colorectal cancer screening.

Current Medicare coverage for people aged 50 and older includes screenings in several categories. For further details, check the CMS site at http://www.medicare.gov/Health/Overview.asp or contact the Prevention Team at 1-800-383-2856.

Click here for CRC resources and publications