Increasing the amount of cancer screening is essential. Today, we look at expanded lung and colorectal cancer screening. In our view, when in doubt, get tested. 🙂
New Guidelines for Expanded Lung and Colorectal Cancer Screening
As Daniel M. Horn, M.D., and Jennifer S. Haas, M.D. observe in the New England Journal of Medicine:
In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended major expansions of the populations that should undergo routine screening for lung or colorectal cancer. Both recommendations are evidence-based. And, if implemented effectively, will most likely save lives. The changes were made with an eye toward reducing inequities in rates of early cancer detection among women. As well as people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latinx. The guidelines, however, were released without adequate attention to how they would be implemented. Efforts to deploy complex, highly personalized screening methods using the patchwork approach that is typical of the U.S. health system could backfire. Unless health care organizations, payers, and policymakers invest in preventive care infrastructure.
We believe that we need regulatory and policy solutions. In order to prevent unintended consequences associated with these important expansions in cancer-screening eligibility. To combat systemic racism and promote safety in ambulatory care, health care systems could collect and report data on disparities in preventive care. In addition, they , and they could design and deploy safety nets to ensure timely follow-up after abnormal screening results. In addition, we need policies that explicitly support equity and safety in preventive care.
To read the full article, click on the following image.
