Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening

Overview

To prevent death from colorectal cancer, we increased colorectal cancer screening in UW Health clinics from 63% to 81% within four years and have maintained screening rates above 80% for the past five years. This represents an average increase of ~11,000 additional patients screened for colorectal cancer each year at UW Health. We are currently working to expand our screening program across rural Wisconsin in partnership with the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality.

The Clinical Problem

“I believe that if we can overcome these barriers, we can help save close to 50,000 lives each year.” — Jennifer Weiss, MD, MS

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with over 140,000 new diagnoses and approximately 51,000 deaths in 2019. Colorectal cancer is one of few cancer types that can actually be prevented by getting a screening test. Early screening and treatment can prevent up to 90% of deaths, but 1 in 3 American adults are not receiving their recommended screening. In 2007, only 64% of eligible UW Health patients were being screened for colorectal cancer.

Our Response

Identifying barriers to screening

Dr. Jennifer Weiss, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, served as a physician leader on the UW Health Colorectal Cancer Prevention Initiative. Dr. Weiss and team examined factors at the patient, provider, and clinic levels that may affect colorectal cancer screening. They found significant variation in colorectal cancer screening rates among primary care clinics at UW Health, as well as between individual providers within clinics. The study team then developed a survey to learn what primary care providers thought were the worst barriers for patients.

Interventions to increase screening

Dr. Weiss’ research showed that to increase colorectal cancer screening rates, interventions needed to be directed at all levels of the health system. Some of the interventions implemented at UW Health include:

• Hiring more gastroenterologists
• Offering colonoscopies on Saturdays
• Centralized scheduling
• Electronic health record reminders for providers
• Approval of low-volume colonoscopy prep
• Improved patient education materials about screening

Results

Screening rates for UW Health increased from 64% to 81% within four years and have been maintained above 80% for the past five years.

Lasting Impact

The increase in colorectal cancer screening rates represents an average increase of ~11,000 additional patients screened for colorectal cancer each year at UW Health. We are currently working to expand our screening program across rural Wisconsin in partnership with the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality.

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