Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates: A New Project by AAPA
Changing the Game in Colorectal Cancer Screening
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is proud to announce a new project, made possible through a grant from Exact Sciences, that aims to improve colorectal cancer screening rates.
Physician associates/physician assistants (PAs) are often one of the first healthcare providers a patient sees, and thus are uniquely positioned to discuss screenings early on with patients.
The Importance of Early Detection
AAPA Chief Medical Officer Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, said PAs play an important role in educating and encouraging patients to complete colorectal cancer screenings.
“The 5-year survival rate for a patient who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the early stages is upward of 91%,” Orozco-Kolb said. “When a patient is diagnosed at a later stage, that survival rate drops to almost 14%. Screening through either at home DNA stool testing or traditional colonoscopy procedures should be considered when having conversations with patients about what works best for them.”
The Project Phases
The project consists of three phases. The first phase, which is underway, will feature focus group meetings with four federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Wisconsin and Arizona that previously received Exact Sciences funding to complete projects that improved colorectal cancer screening rates.
These focus group meetings are expected to be completed by February 2025, when the second phase of the project will begin. This phase involves taking lessons learned and best practices gathered during the focus groups and creating an innovative toolkit that can be widely used by providers across the country to improve their own colorectal cancer screening rates.
Impact on Colorectal Cancer Statistics
In 2024, the American Cancer Society ranked colorectal cancer as the third deadliest form of cancer in men, and fourth deadliest cancer in women. It’s estimated that more than 152,000 people nationwide will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year.
Effects on Individuals and the World
Impact on Individuals
Improved colorectal cancer screening rates can lead to early detection, increased survival rates, and better overall health outcomes for individuals. By engaging with healthcare providers early on and discussing screening options, individuals can take proactive steps towards preventing and detecting colorectal cancer.
Impact on the World
By improving colorectal cancer screening rates, the AAPA project has the potential to save lives and reduce the burden of colorectal cancer on the healthcare system. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment, reduced healthcare costs, and ultimately, a healthier population overall. The innovative toolkit developed through this project has the potential to be widely adopted by providers across the country, leading to a significant impact on colorectal cancer screening rates nationwide.
Conclusion
The AAPA’s new project, made possible through a grant from Exact Sciences, is set to revolutionize colorectal cancer screening rates across the country. By empowering healthcare providers to engage with patients early on and provide them with the necessary information and tools for screening, the project aims to improve survival rates and overall health outcomes for individuals. This initiative has the potential to not only benefit individuals by increasing early detection rates but also to have a significant impact on the world by reducing the burden of colorectal cancer on the healthcare system and society as a whole.
