Making confident cancer screening decisions in primary care

The cancer screening landscape continues to evolve, with an increasing number of screening options offering different capabilities and limitations. In this six-part video series, experts in primary care, gastroenterology, and cancer screening discuss practical considerations to help patients make informed screening decisions—from colorectal cancer (CRC) screening to emerging multi-cancer early detection (MCED) approaches.

• CRC burden, screening gaps, and guidelines
  CRC remains a significant health burden, including among younger adults. The discussion reviews current CRC screening gaps and recommendations to begin screening at age 45.
• Selecting the right CRC screening test
  When considering a non-invasive screening test, patient preference can play an important role in adherence. The experts discuss balancing patient preference with test performance.
• Stool-based screening and Cologuard Plus
  Learn about stool-based CRC screening modalities and how the Cologuard Plus test combines DNA markers with a hemoglobin assay. The discussion explores CRC and precancer sensitivity, specificity, and the need for colonoscopy following a positive test.
• Overcoming barriers to CRC screening
  Ordering a screening test does not always translate into completion. The experts discuss barriers including scheduling, bowel preparation, transportation, and time away from work, as well as patient navigation and non-invasive screening workflows that may help facilitate screening completion.
• Blood-based CRC screening
  Blood-based testing adds another option to the CRC screening landscape. The discussion considers differences among screening approaches, including limitations of current blood-based tests in detecting precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers, and circumstances in which blood-based testing may be considered.
• Multi-cancer early detection in primary care
  The final discussion moves beyond single-organ screening to multi-cancer early detection. The experts explore patient interest in MCED, the role of these tests alongside established screening, the interpretation of positive and negative results, and considerations for diagnostic follow-up.

References

Full citations supporting the clinical and scientific information presented above are provided within the videos.