AMA plans advocacy outreach to expand colorectal screening

CHICAGO — Building on the efficacy of colorectal cancer screening, the American Medical Association endorsed a plan at its annual meeting to work with physicians and payers to make the screening more available and affordable.

Challenges with insurance coverage remain a barrier to colorectal cancer screening, despite extensive evidence that early screening decreases the likelihood of colorectal cancer and increases the likelihood of survival.

“One in three people is not up-to-date on their colorectal screening even though we know that if colorectal cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent,” said AMA Board Member Russ Kridel, M.D. “The AMA needs to help patients understand the value of screening and help them gain access to it.”