6 Facts and Stats You Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention

Today, BioIQ announced that it has conducted its one millionth colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The company reached this notable milestone by leveraging convenient CRC kits and facilitating care using consumer analytics, omni-channel engagement and a curated network of partner solutions. BioIQ helps some of the nation’s largest health plans screen at-risk members for CRC with a powerful technology platform and a-simple-to-use, at-home test kit.

Promotion of CRC screening, especially among at-risk populations, is a national priority. American adults aged 50 to 75 years who were up to date with colorectal cancer screening increased 1.1 percentage points, from 66.2% in 2014 to 67.3% in 2016.2 And with the American Cancer Society lowering the recommended age that screening should start —from 50 to 45— even more unscreened people need this critical test.

“Our mission is to positively change the nation’s healthcare system by making it easier and more convenient for people to understand their health and take action,” said Justin Bellante, CEO of BioIQ. “Providing a personalized, convenient CRC screening to people in the comfort of their home saves lives and is an important example of what we can do to improve healthcare.”

Check out the slideshow below to learn important facts and stats about screening for this preventable disease.

First-hand account of how a simple screening saved a life

Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and highly curable if caught early, but many people don’t experience any symptoms in the early stages. This is why screening is so important.

A large health plan worked with BioIQ to launch a CRC screening program for its members. One member was prompted to call the plan to order an at-home test kit after reading an article in the plan’s magazine.

“Your last magazine included an article about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, which motivated me to call and order a test kit. To my surprise, the results of the test came back positive. I saw my doctor for a colonoscopy and surgery to remove stage 1 cancer. Thank you for bringing awareness to this disease through your magazine and offering a simple test that saved my life.” – Health plan member

CRC is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States

Colorectal cancer is expected to cause about  51,020 deaths in 2019.1 Colorectal tumors grow very slowly, and there are many excellent screening methods that can detect them in their early stages when treatment has a high success rate. Early detection significantly increases the chance of survival and reduces the cost and severity of treatment.

It only takes five minutes to complete an at-home FIT test

While there are multiple screening options available, the best test is the one that gets done. Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) tests are inexpensive, accurate and noninvasive. They can be completed in the privacy of your home and they don’t require any bowel prep.

Additionally, the kits can be sent in the mail or distributed at a screening event, making it easy to reach people that may not otherwise have access to other types of CRC screening, such as colonoscopies.

Follow these seven tips to decrease your risk of CRC

A healthy lifestyle is the first line of defense against CRC and other forms of cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol consumption and eating a healthy diet reduces the risk of CRC by more than 37 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

Avoid diets which are high in red meats (beef, lamb or liver) and processed meats (like hot dogs, bologna and lunch meat)
Include calcium, folate and fiber in your diet
Avoid cooking meats at very high heat (frying, broiling or grilling), which can create chemicals known to increase risk of cancer
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy weight
Do not smoke
Avoid use of alcohol

Know when to start screening

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. People who are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through age 75.

For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on their preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.

Facilitating one million screenings

BioIQ is proud to have facilitated one-million colorectal cancer screenings (and counting!). We work with health plans to provide their members with convenient tests to complete in the privacy of their own home. BioIQ helps plans coordinate every aspect of a CRC gap closure program from member engagement and communications to results reporting, using a scalable technology platform to identify CRC in a covered population and connect at-risk individuals to appropriate treatment.

To learn how your organization can implement a CRC screening program and improve the health of your population, contact BioIQ at (888) 818-1594 or sales@bioiq.com.