Researchers have found that people are more likely to screen for colon cancer when offered the option. However, an independent study found that screening for lung cancer in high-risk groups in insurance coverage could prevent thousands of deaths per year at a low cost. KQED: Providing optional access could boost colon cancer screening While about 50,000 people died of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States last year, almost half of those deaths could have been prevented by routine screening …… The problem is that getting people to get screened is a lot harder to do …… but now physicians have begun to look at psychology to find ways of talking that will get more patients to screen (Menghrajani, 4/9). NPR: People More Likely to Get Colon Cancer Screening When Given the Opportunity to Choose 69% of people had colon cancer screening within 1 year when given the opportunity to do so, according to a new study. By comparison, only 38% of patients underwent colonoscopy when their doctor recommended it only: 67% underwent fecal occult blood testing when it was recommended only. …… This new study suggests that physicians who promote colonoscopy testing may cause some people not to be screened, especially for those of other races or ethnicities. For those of other races or minorities (Shute, 4/9). Medscape: Colorectal Cancer Screening: Giving Patients a Choice The current widespread recommendation for colonoscopy testing may lead to poor adherence among patients who undergo screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), especially in other racial/ethnic minority populations. Therefore, in one study, it was proposed that the patient’s own requirements should be taken into account when performing colorectal cancer screening (Pullen, 4/9). MedPage Today: Patients need multiple options for colon cancer screening In addition, researchers found that advocating for colonoscopy for screening in other racial and ethnic minority populations led to decreased adherence in their study. National guidelines vary in their recommendations for colon cancer screening, with some sections leaving the choice of method to clinicians and patients and others preferring colonoscopy (Pal, 4/9). Meanwhile, new research supports efforts to perform lung cancer screening. The Hill: Study recommends lung cancer screening In a new study that Health Affairs calls “the first insurance statistics study,” it found that lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals by insurers could prevent thousands of deaths per year at low cost. The study examined the costs and benefits of providing lung cancer screening to smokers between the ages of 50 and 64 and to former smokers who were long-time smokers in the past. The model found that, assuming that approximately 9 million people per year would benefit from it, insurers would need to provide $247 per participant per year for screening – less than $1 per month per commercially insured person (Pecquet, 4/9). Advocacy for colonoscopy for screening among ethnic populations can lead to decreased adherence. National guidelines vary in their recommendations regarding colon cancer screening, with some leaving the choice of method to clinicians and patients and others preferring colonoscopy (Pal, 4/9). At the same time, new research supports efforts to perform lung cancer screening. The Hill: Study Recommends Lung Cancer Screening In a new study that Health Affairs calls “the first insurance statistics study,” it found that lung cancer screening by insurers in high-risk groups could prevent thousands of deaths each year at low cost. The study examined the costs and benefits of providing lung cancer screening to smokers between the ages of 50 and 64 and to former smokers who were long-time smokers in the past. The model found that, assuming that approximately 9 million people per year would benefit from it, insurers would need to provide $247 per participant per year for screening – less than $1 per month per commercially insured person (Pecquet, 4/9).