March 3, 2022
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death for both men and women combined in the United States. However, more than one-half of all cases and deaths are attributable to modifiable risk
factors, such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and excess body weight, and potentially preventable.1 CRC morbidity and mortality can also be mitigated through appropriate screening and surveillance.2
The Colorectal Cancer Screening (COL) HEDIS® star measure assesses patients ages 50–75 who had appropriate screenings for colorectal cancer.
Review the options with patients to determine which type of screening they prefer. Patients who are given a choice between colonoscopy and fecal testing, and who review the process and cons of each with their provider, are more likely to complete the
screening. 3
The Colorectal
Cancer Screening tip sheet has information about this measure including what information to include in medical records, codes for patient claims and tips for talking with patients.
For more information and/or questions regarding this article, email ProviderClinicalConsulting@Premera.com.
For additional provider guides and tip sheets, visit our new Quality and Coding tools web page
Source: Colorectal cancer
statistics, 2020 - Siegel - 2020 - CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Wiley
Online Library
1Islami F, Goding Sauer A, Miller KD, et al. Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68:31-54.
2Winawer SJ, Zauber AG. The advanced adenoma as the primary target of screening. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2002;12:1-9, v.
3Inadomi JM, Vijan S, Janz NK, et al. Adherence to Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Competing Strategies. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(7):575–582. HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee
for Quality Assurance (NCQA).