| May 4, 2016 In 2015, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) signed the American Cancer Society’s pledge to have 80 percent of our members screened for colon cancer by 2018. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US (men and women combined). Evidence-based practice shows that physician recommendation has significant influence on patient health choices. In 2015, BCBSTX reported a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rate of 43 percent. This rate is based on members who were continuously enrolled with BCBSTX and received appropriate colorectal cancer screening by Dec. 31, 2014. By discussing CRC screening with your patients, more patients will be screened. As CRC screening rates increase, colorectal cancer could be detected sooner and patients may experience optimal treatment outcomes. BCBSTX supports preventive health screenings for our members. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, October 2008 recommendation is “The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, in adults age 50-75. However, the USPSTF recommends against routine screening for colorectal cancer in adults age 76-85, although there may be considerations that support screening in an individual patient.” The best test is the one that gets done.
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