Gursimran Kochhar, MD

Part 5 of our 5-part panel discussion for CRC Awareness Month focuses on: Appropriate Guidance for CRC Screening Age/Role of Advocacy Organizations

Appropriate Guidance for CRC Screening Age, Role of Advocacy Organizations

This portion of our 5-part peer-to-peer discussion on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening focuses on appropriate guidance for screening age and the future of CRC advocacy in light of emerging technologies and evolving healthcare policies.

, as the experts discuss current and prospective age-based screening recommendations as well as the importance of both awareness and navigation of screening.

Sapienza introduces the topic and inquires about the experts’ reactions to suggestions for lowering the screening age to younger than 45 years, to which Imperiale says he is “horrified” and describes how this would likely lead to more harm than benefits. Instead, he suggests “doing things that make the most sense first,” like making patients aware of symptoms that warrant testing.

Colangelo then poses a question to Sapienza regarding his outlook on the future of CRC screening, advocacy, and support from nonprofit organizations, to which Sapienza describes the significance of both awareness and navigation efforts from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, additionally calling attention to the important role of risk stratification.

Updates in Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations

Pressing Challenges in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Reaching Patients in Need of Screening for Colorectal Cancer

Navigating Patient Histories, Risk Factor Conversations in CRC Screening

 chief executive officer of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the largest colon cancer advocacy group in the country, and member of the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable steering committee.

, an internist, vice president, and chief quality officer for Premier Medical Associates, a large multispecialty group within Allegheny Health Network as well as a member of the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable steering committee.

 a gastroenterologist, associate division chief of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and medical director of Endoscopic Innovations at Allegheny Health Network.

principal investigator of the BLUE-C trial, research scientist at Regenstrief Institute, and Lawrence Lumeng Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine.

L to R: Michael Sapienza; Gursimran Kochhar, MD; Thomas Imperiale, MD; Frank Colangelo, MD

Imperiale has no relevant disclosures to report. Colangelo has no disclosures to report. Relevant disclosures for Kochhar include CorEvitas Research, Eli Lilly, Boston Scientific Endoscopy, Olympus Endoscopy, and Pentax Endoscopy. Sapienza has no relevant disclosures to report.

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In part 5 of our 5-part discussion, experts discuss their perspective on appropriate guidance for screening age and the future of CRC advocacy.

Part 4 of our 5-part panel discussion for CRC Awareness Month focuses on: Navigating Patient Histories, Risk Factor Conversations in CRC Screening

This portion of our 5-part peer-to-peer discussion on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening focuses on navigating conversations about risk factors and symptoms surrounding CRC.

, as the experts discuss the importance of making patients aware of the updated guideline recommending screening starting at 45 years of age, additionally highlighting the importance of recognizing risk factors and monitoring symptoms that may warrant testing.

Sapienza introduces the topic and inquires about how the experts are navigating these conversations with patients. In his response, Colangelo describes using lead-time messaging in average-risk patients without symptoms and without a family history in order to prepare them for screening when they reach the recommended age. Kocchar indicates his reliance on chronic symptoms in younger patients to determine their need for testing, while Imperiale stresses the importance of making patients aware of their risk and having conversations to prepare them for screening.

In part 4 of our 5-part discussion, experts discuss how to navigate conversations about risk factors and symptoms surrounding CRC.

Part 3 of our 5-part panel discussion for CRC Awareness Month focuses on: Reaching Patients in Need of Screening for Colorectal Cancer

This portion of our 5-part peer-to-peer discussion on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening focuses on the importance of screening among younger patient populations.

, as the experts engage in a conversation about strategies they use to encourage screening in patient populations susceptible to nonadherence.

Sapienza introduces the topic and asks the group what they do to address gaps in screening, with responses generally emphasizing the utility of at-home stool tests for the younger patient population who may not have the time or resources for colonoscopy as well as being cognizant of the sensitivity of the test they take in order to safely go longer in between tests as long as their results come back healthy. Additionally, Kocchar calls attention to the importance of “aligning forces” and collaborating with primary care providers who work closely with patients and often have the first opportunity to discuss screening with them.

In part 3 of our 5-part discussion, experts discuss the importance of screening among younger patient populations and strategies to encourage screening in patient populations susceptible to nonadherence.

Part 2 of our 5-part panel discussion for CRC Awareness Month focuses on: Pressing Challenges in Screening Colorectal Cancer

Pressing Challenges in Screening for Colorectal Cancer

This portion of our 5-part peer-to-peer discussion on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening focuses on the contemporary challenges of getting patients to engage in screening and how to effectively discuss screening with patients.

, as the experts engage in a conversation about different barriers to screening and strategies for effectively engaging patients in the shared decision-making process surrounding screening.

Sapienza introduces the topic and inquires about what each expert sees as the most pressing challenge for getting their patients screened, to which Kocchar describes both a lack of access to colonoscopy and patient willingness to undergo the procedure. In his response, Imperiale emphasizes the importance of weighing the risks and benefits of every screening option, whether it is a colonoscopy or a noninvasive alternative.

Sapienza then asks Colangelo about strategies he uses to effectively engage patients in a shared decision-making process. Although he walks his patients through all of their screening options, Colangelo says he also stresses the importance of eventually getting a colonoscopy if their result on a noninvasive test comes back abnormal.

In part 2 of our 5-part discussion, experts discuss challenges they face getting patients to engage in screening and how to effectively discuss screening with patients.

Gursimran Kochhar, MD

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