Cancer screening works, but patient buy-in lags
The USPSTF recommends screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. And yet, despite the proven effectiveness of these screening tests in decreasing cancer mortality, many people do not get screened. The CPSTF has developed a set of implementation recommendations that are proven to increase the uptake of recommended cancer screening tests.3 These include:
- sending reminders to patients when screening tests are due
- providing one-on-one or group educational sessions
- providing videos and printed materials that describe screening tests and recommendations
- offering testing at locations and times that are convenient for patients
- offering on-site translation, transportation, patient navigators, and other administrative services to facilitate screening
- assessing provider performance and providing feedback.
CPSTF’s range of resources
Resources provided by the CPSTF (TABLE 2) also include the following materials for physicians, patients, and policy makers:
- tools to assist communities in performing a community health assessment and in prioritizing health needs
- fact sheets on what works for specific populations or conditions. (One recently added fact sheet is a description of interventions to address the leading health problems that affect women.4)
- examples of how communities have used CPSTF recommendations to address a major health concern in their populations. (See “An immunization ‘success story’ from the field.”)
