White: Workplace initiatives key to early colorectal cancer detection

Arizona ranks 44 out of 50 states when it comes to colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings, with merely 55% of adults aged 45 to 75 completing screening tests during their recommended intervals.

There are approximately 2,800 new cases of this type of cancer in Arizona every year. With an increase in cases among younger adults nationally, it is more important than ever to encourage proactive and routine screening beginning at age 45.

It is also important to note that CRC has one of the second-highest treatment costs, and the average cost increases significantly as the cancer progresses. The average cost to treat patients with stage one CRC is $66,000, compared to $160,000 per patient in stage four. When caught early, CRC has a five-year survival rate of 90%. This percentage drops drastically to a five-year survival rate of 20% when CRC is treated in the late stages.

The key takeaway is that colon cancer is largely preventable through routine screening. Catching CRC early is essential because it prevents it from spreading, is easier to treat, and can often lead to complete remission.

With all this in mind, adults are still not making CRC screening a priority. Two contributing factors may be a lack of understanding of available screening options and lagging community support for patients.

Non-invasive testing options for colorectal cancer

The gold standard for CRC screening is colonoscopy; however, many patients avoid colonoscopies because of the rigorous prep and fear of the procedure, which requires sedation. For patients with average risk for colon cancer, non-invasive screening options may be a good alternative. The key is working with your health care team to determine which test best suits your lifestyle and budget.

An exciting new blood test recently was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CRC screening among average-risk adults 45 and older and may be a more convenient, non-invasive option for patients. The current self-pay price for the blood test is just under $900.

At-home stool tests are another non-invasive screening option and there are a few that the FDA has approved for screening. Still, popular at-home tests could cost between $500 and $600 without insurance or Medicare reimbursement.

One type of FDA-approved at-home screening option is the fecal immunochemical test, known as FIT. The test is a chemistry-based test that identifies blood in the stool. Completed in the comfort of the patient’s home, the test uses a brush that is dipped in the toilet water surrounding the stool. There is no need to collect a stool sample. Once the sample from the water is collected, using the brush the sampling is transferred to a card, and it is ready to be mailed to the lab for testing.

Sonora Quest Laboratories currently offers this type of test, InSure ONE FIT for CRC screening, by using antibodies to detect blood, which can be an indicator of polyps or colorectal cancer.

This immunochemistry method is reliable and non-invasive. Due to the simple nature of the sample collection for the FIT test, and the lack of medicinal or food restrictions, compliance is typically higher, and patients are more likely to repeat the test annually as recommended.

The best colon cancer screening test is the one that a patient is willing to do, which is why less invasive testing is often a more manageable commitment.

Community colorectal screening support through employer solutions

Another possible factor that contributes to the lack of colon cancer screenings per the recommended guidelines is the need for support in the workplace. It has been proven that social support significantly influences screening behaviors. Numerous studies have reported that support from family and friends can bolster confidence, reduce fear, and encourage participation.

With so many people spending the bulk of their time at work, it is important to further develop social support for health screenings and proactive health management. Offering colorectal cancer screening programs through work is one way to help encourage regular screenings, ensure associates feel valued, and create a healthy workplace.

Modeling this employee screening initiative in real time, Sonora Quest and Banner Health are among the first to initiate an employee CRC screening campaign to promote proactive health management. The employee screening campaign is called Get FIT and provides eligible employees and their dependents with the non-invasive InSure ONE FIT kit at no cost.

Since launching the Get FIT campaign, 14,800 kits have been delivered to eligible Sonora Quest/Banner Health employees throughout Arizona who are members of its Banner Employee Health Plan. The partnership between these two health care leaders demonstrates how stakeholders can come together to innovate and improve health outcomes.

Colorectal cancer is on the rise and can be fatal for many people if it goes untreated. However, about 70% of CRC deaths can be prevented with simple screening. Encouraging regular screening and access to easy screening options is the best way to reduce CRC incidence and catch cases of colon cancer early to help save lives.

Editor’s note: Dr. Stacy White is scientific medical director at Sonora Quest Laboratories, a n Arizona-based joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org .