High Cancer Screening Rates Achieved Through New Personalized Service

BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ScreenCancer, Inc., a U.S. corporation offering comprehensive cancer screening management services to employers and insurers, announced that it has achieved a cancer screening rate of 85% in a pilot study conducted for employees and spouses of a Midwest government employer. The study results demonstrated a 26% overall increase in screening for colorectal, cervical, prostate and breast cancer in this over-50 population.

ScreenCancer utilizes a specialized call-center to engage people in sensitive, healthcare conversations leading to informed, personal decision-making. Each participant was provided a dedicated Navigator who provided individualized assessment, education, test facilitation, and follow-up. The pilot, done with Wayne County, Ohio, was well-received by participants and very efficient, with initial calls requiring only 10-15 minutes of time to cover all cancers.    

"The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to significantly increase cancer screening rates using a comprehensive telephonic outreach program," said Dr. Bruce Sherman, Medical Director Employers Health Coalition and a co-author of the study publication. "Even with first dollar coverage of preventive benefits as mandated by healthcare reform, individuals still seem reluctant to utilize these services. Employers may want to consider adopting an outreach approach similar to that described in this study to increase screening rates, as the cost savings resulting from just one early cancer diagnosis may well cover the related program costs."

"Few preventive health initiatives can have the immediate impact of cancer screening. Many cancers, when diagnosed early, can essentially be cured, saving both lives and the medical and disability costs of metastatic disease. Programs like ScreenCancer's offer the promise of realizing this benefit at a much higher level than we have previously seen," commented Dr. Z. Colette Edwards, former VP & Senior Market Medical Executive for CIGNA, MidAtlantic Region and National Medical Executive, Health Disparities. "Additionally, cancer screening empowers and provides the immediacy of an automatic feedback loop. In turn, taking the step to screening may positively impact the likelihood of future behavior change in other areas, thereby serving as a potential catalyst for improved health."

The study included 116 participants, of which 68 (59%) were already compliant with all recommended cancer screening. After 3 months, 65% of the non-compliant individuals had completed all of their cancer screening tests. Colorectal cancer screening alone was increased from 68% to 87% with 29% choosing and 60% completing colonoscopy and 68% choosing and 65% completing an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (InSure® FIT™ made by Enterix Inc., a Quest Diagnostics business).

"ScreenCancer's mission is to help our clients achieve the highest possible rates of cancer screening in a very cost-effective manner," said David Nikka, CEO of ScreenCancer. "We do that by talking to people about why cancer screening is so important, taking the time to listen and address their personal questions and concerns and by helping them throughout the process. We are very appreciative that the Wayne County Commissioners gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the success of this approach with this pilot."  

About ScreenCancer, Inc.

ScreenCancer, Inc. provides cancer screening management services to employers and insurers including the ScreenCancer Navigator program for increasing cancer screening rates and the MoleNavigator, a teledermatology-based solution for the evaluation of suspicious moles. For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.screencancer.com. The pilot study publication is available at http://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/Wellness-Intervention.html.

For more information, contact:

David Nikka, CEO
Phone: 339-223-0573
[email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE ScreenCancer, Inc.