Download The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act

The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2007, an estimated 153,760 new cases will be diagnosed and an estimated 52,180 deaths will be caused by colorectal cancer. The real tragedy is that many of these cancer cases and deaths occur needlessly, as they could be prevented if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening. Screening and early detection saves lives. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5 year survival rate is 90 percent. However, when cancer is not diagnosed until it has spread to distant organs, the 5 year survival rate is only 10 percent. Furthermore, the disease can be prevented through the early identification and removal of pre­ cancerous polyps, detectable only through colorectal cancer screenings. Between 30,000 – 44,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over 50 got screened for colorectal cancer. Of the 52,180 people expected to die of colorectal cancer in 2007, 50­80% could be saved if they were tested. It is critical, therefore, that barriers to screening be eliminated. Significant disparities still exist in prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer across racial/ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic lines. For example, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to lack health insurance, and we know that individuals lacking health insurance have significantly lower screening rates for colorectal and other cancers. As a result, these individuals are more likely to have delayed diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and African Americans are also less likely than whites to receive aggressive treatment. With 80 million baby boomers facing the diseases of aging, the nation must increase its investment in screening and prevention. Treatment costs for colorectal cancer are extremely high, estimated at $8.3 billion for new cases in 2007. As the risk for this disease increases with age (91% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in individuals over 50), Medicare bears the brunt of these costs. However, death rates and treatment costs could be significantly reduced if Americans began getting screened once they turned age 50. Increased CRC screening in the pre­Medicare population would result in savings of billions of dollars to the Medicare Program. Colorectal screening not only saves lives, but will lead to cost savings. H.R. 1738:
· Establishes a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer.
· Targets screening services toward individuals between 50 ­ 64 years of age (the pre­ Medicare population), or those under 50 years old but with high risk of such cancer.
· Gives priority to low­income, uninsured and underinsured individuals who would not otherwise have coverage for colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic follow up, and/or treatment.
· Provides case management and referrals for medical treatment of screened individuals.
· Ensures the full continuum of cancer care for individuals screened, including the appropriate follow­up for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detected cancers.
· Provides education and training for health professionals in the detection of colorectal cancer.
· Develops and disseminates findings and outcomes data in order to evaluate the program for cost, effectiveness and reach, which will inform ongoing community screening and treatment efforts.