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Cancer Screening

“The discovery and subsequent treatment of my breast cancer was a direct result of having a routine mammogram.”

– Kara Herron, Breast Cancer Survivor

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Cancer Screening Targets for Change

Finding cancer early is one of the most important ways to increase a person’s chance of survival. There is strong evidence that screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers is effective and can detect cancer at an early stage. The rates of mammography and Pap tests historically and currently are lower in Utah compared to national rates. Over the past 15 years, both mammography and Pap tests in Utah have been decreasing.

Increase the proportion of women who receive a cervical cancer screening based on the most recent USPSTF guidelines.
Current data: TBD
77.6%Baseline
Based on women ages 21-65 that had a pap test in the past 3 years
(2014 BRFSS)
83%Utah 2020 Target
Data Source: BRFSS
Increase the proportion of women who receive a breast cancer screening based on the most recent USPSTF guidelines
Current data: TBD
73.3%Baseline
Based on women received screening in the past 2 years
(2014 BRFSS)
76%Utah 2020 Target
Data Source: BRFSS
Increase the proportion of adults (aged 50-75) who receive a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent USPSTF guidelines.
Current data: TBD
71.1%Baseline
(2014 BRFSS)
80%Utah 2020 Target
Data Source: BRFSS

VIEW ALL DATA INDICATORS

Cancer Screening Goals, Strategies and Action Steps

Goal: Increase the number of Utahns who receive recommended cancer screenings.


Strategy AEncourage the public to receive recommended cancer screenings by providing education using evidence-based communication methods.

Who is addressing this strategy?
There are currently no projects in progress.
Action Steps

  • Increase public knowledge about cancer screening facts and guidelines through multiple avenues, including small media and provider recommendation.
  • Provide culturally competent cancer-specific educational materials, including small media, in multiple languages to targeted communities.
  • Provide cancer-specific materials, including small media, that meet literacy and numeracy skills of the target population.
  • Coordinate with state and local health partners to promote cancer screening opportunities throughout the state.
National Strategy Alignment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Increasing Population-based Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: An Action Guide to Facilitate Evidence-based Strategies. Atlanta, GA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Action Guide for Working with Health Systems. Atlanta, GA.


Who is addressing this strategy?
There are currently no projects in progress.
Action Steps

  • Increase awareness related to healthcare reform and subsequent changes in coverage for recommended cancer screenings.
  • Educate underinsured and uninsured Utahns about available programs offering cancer screenings that are provided at little or no cost.
  • Advocate for programs that provide cancer screening at little or no cost.
  • Encourage the use of in home testing options, such as fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for colorectal cancer screening.
  • Support partnerships with organizations that provide patient navigation, case management, and community health worker services.
  • Support initiatives to identify unrecognized barriers to screening, including barriers that affect disparate populations.
National Strategy Alignment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Increasing Population-based Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: An Action Guide to Facilitate Evidence-based Strategies. Atlanta, GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Action Guide for Working with Health Systems. Atlanta, GA.

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Who is addressing this strategy?
Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
Action Steps

  • Offer education to providers on strategies to educate patients about recommended screenings and their value.
  • Encourage clinics to adopt a policy to discuss risk factors that affect routine screening recommendations (e.g. family history and genetics) with patients.
  • Encourage clinics to adopt a policy to assess cancer screening during a patient’s periodic health examination.
  • Encourage clinics to adopt a policy to assess clinic workflow and implement a reminder system for identifying patients requiring cancer screenings including Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration.
National Strategy Alignment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Increasing Population-based Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: An Action Guide to Facilitate Evidence-based Strategies. Atlanta, GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Action Guide for Working with Health Systems. Atlanta, GA.

Click to Expand

Who is addressing this strategy?
There are currently no projects in progress.
Action Steps

  • Encourage employers to implement policies that allow employees to receive recommended cancer screenings during work time including the use of a mobile screening van or paid time off.
  • Encourage employers to provide education about recommended cancer screenings, including insurance coverage, to employees.
  • Encourage employers to incorporate cancer screenings into worksite wellness programs.
National Strategy Alignment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Increasing Population-based Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: An Action Guide to Facilitate Evidence-based Strategies. Atlanta, GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening and Promoting Screening Quality: An Action Guide for Engaging Employers and Professional Medical Organizations. Atlanta, GA.

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Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Change Approaches for Cancer Screening

Setting Non-PSE Approach PSE Approach
Healthcare Organizations Recommend to a patient that he or she is due for a cancer screening test. Establish an electronic and paper reminder system to notify providers to recommend screenings, and to patients to get screenings. Establish clinical staff roles for following up on screening referrals and appointments.
Workplace Provide information to employees about the importance of routine cancer screenings. Provide incentives for employees to get cancer screenings, including paid time off, monetary incentives, or incentives for workplace wellness programs.

Resources for PSE change: