International Leader in Colorectal Cancer Screening Recognizes
Collaboration between CIGNA, Quest Diagnostics and the National Colorectal
Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA) to Improve Screening and Early Detection
of Colorectal Cancer
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., June 26, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Because more
than six percent of CIGNA HealthCare members in Florida who participated in
a pilot screening program for colorectal cancer last year had test results
that revealed abnormalities -- signaling the need for follow-up tests with
their doctors -- CIGNA HealthCare expanded the program significantly over
the past year. More than 320,000 CIGNA HealthCare members received
InSure(R) fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits from CIGNA with the support
of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX). The test helped CIGNA
members screen at home for gastrointestinal bleeding which is often an
early indicator for potentially deadly colorectal cancer.
Barry Wilkins of Seffner, Fla., is one of the CIGNA HealthCare members
whose life was changed when he took the test. "I feel extremely lucky to
have been included in CIGNA's program last year. I had a colonoscopy three
years ago and thought I was all set, so when I received the InSure test
kit, I almost ignored it," said Wilkins. "At the last minute, I decided to
take the test and to my surprise I ultimately discovered I had colon
cancer. Because CIGNA sent me the kit without my even having to ask for it,
my cancer was caught early enough to be treated. I consider myself so
fortunate because who knows what would have happened had I waited for my
next colonoscopy in two years."
In the expanded program, 1,016 people, or 6.7 percent of the members
who returned the InSure test kit had positive results and required
follow-up testing from their physicians. "Most people do not realize that
screening for colorectal cancer can be a simple process because of tests
like InSure," said Dr. Dick Salmon, CIGNA HealthCare National Quality
Medical Director. "Colon cancer is preventable and treatable and can be
detected at a stage where effective treatments are available, which is why
we want to encourage our members to undergo screening for colon cancer.
This program can help save lives," he continued.
CIGNA expanded the screening initiative to 13 states: Ariz., Ga., Ill.,
Ind., Kan., Mo., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., and Texas. The program
targets members who are 50 years of age or older and overdue for a
screening. The initiative included a message from NCCRA co-founder Katie
Couric emphasizing the value of screening and early detection of colorectal
cancer. Various approaches were used to compare various strategies to
encourage members to be screened for colorectal cancer. The goal was to
encourage members to complete and submit the simple screening test and
share the results with their physicians.
Dr. Graeme Young, Chair of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Committee of
the World Organization of Digestive Endoscopy, and Professor of
Gastroenterology at Flinders University in South Australia said of CIGNA's
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, "For the first time, physicians have
valid research on the effectiveness and costs associated with various
approaches to providing in-home screening tests. CIGNA's research in
improving colorectal cancer screening by directly engaging consumers with
an in-home screening test is making a valuable contribution to our
understanding of how to improve early detection of colon cancer, resulting
in improved screening rates and the potential to save lives."
CIGNA HealthCare Senior National Medical Director Dick Salmon, MD, PhD
was invited to present CIGNA's colorectal cancer screening program at the
May 19, 2007 session of the World Organisation of Digestive Endoscopy's
(Organisation Mondiale d'Endoscopie Digestive (OMED) Colorectal Cancer
Screening Committee's meeting at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW))
Conference in Washington, DC. Dr. Salmon's presentation was given to 60
world and industry leaders on various testing options designed to address
individual preferences with the goal of increasing colorectal cancer
screening rates. His topic was "Uptake of mailed fecal immunochemical
technology when case-finding fails." Other presenters on the panel were
from Germany, France, Canada, England and the United States.
OMED is an international non-profit world federation of national
societies committed to promoting the study and advancement of digestive
endoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases. It
meets alongside the DDW conference which is the largest gathering of
physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology,
endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.
Patients with colon cancer detected at its earliest and most treatable
stage have a 90 percent chance of five-year survival, according to the
American Cancer Society (ACS). However, only 39 percent of the cases are
diagnosed at an early stage. And according to the ACS, "Colorectal cancer
is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through screening." Still,
more than 50,000 Americans die from colon cancer each year.
Quest Diagnostics, one of CIGNA's nationally contracted laboratory
providers, offers the InSure FIT, an FDA-cleared test, for use in screening
for colorectal cancer and other sources of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
A recent study reported in the November 1, 2006 American Cancer Society
journal Cancer comparing the new FIT for colorectal cancer screening to the
older guaiac fecal occult blood test (GFOBT) sampling techniques concludes,
"this brush sampling FIT is significantly better at detecting advanced
neoplasias than a sensitive GFOBT." The study goes on to say, "It can be
anticipated that the better relative detection rate for InSure, through its
better sensitivity for adenomas, would have a greater impact on mortality
and incidence rates."
The ACS recommends colorectal cancer screening for all men and women 50
years old and older. Yet, the national screening rate in this age group
among insured individuals averages only 53 percent, according to the
National Committee for Quality Assurance. Although the screening rate for
CIGNA's members over age 50 is slightly higher than this national average,
the company wants to further improve the screening rates through the
expanded program.
Included in the mailing is Katie Couric's "Picture of Health" public
service announcement, which was developed and produced by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Screen for Life: National
Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign, in partnership with the Entertainment
Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, which
Couric co-founded in 2000.
Members receiving the test also receive guidance about what to do if
they have specific symptoms of colorectal cancer such as a change in bowel
habits, rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, which would require a complete
evaluation by a physician. Members may also visit http://www.insuretest.com
for additional information on the test. The confidential test results are
mailed to the members, who are encouraged to share the results, whether
positive or negative, with their primary care physicians so that an
appropriate follow-up screening plan may be developed.
More information on "Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection" may be found
on these Websites:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Colorectal_Cancer_Early_
Det ection_10.asp,
The EIF's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
http://www.eifoundation.org.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, based in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits
plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and
products and services that integrate and analyze information to support
consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various
operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI), including
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Products and services are
provided by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For
more information, visit http://www.cigna.com.
SOURCE CIGNA HealthCare
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Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
http://www.insuretest.com http://www.eifoundation.org
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/165050.html/
CONTACT:
Lindsay Shearer of CIGNA HealthCare,
+1-603-268-7721, lindsay.shearer@cigna.com
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