CTC Coalition Calls on USPSTF to Reconsider Virtual Colon Cancer Screening Recommendations

 CTC Coalition Calls on USPSTF to Reconsider
Virtual Colon Cancer Screening Recommendations

 

Washington, D.C. – The CTC Coalition, a working group of physician providers, colon cancer patient advocates and imaging technology developers, urged the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Friday to reconsider their recommendation on virtual colorectal cancer screening, also known as computed tomographic colonography (CTC). The USPSTF issued an “I” statement for CTC, which means more research is needed in order to make a conclusive recommendation.

Despite having a 90 percent cure rate when detected early, nearly 50,000 Americans die every year from colon cancer because it is detected too late. Although encouraged by the USPSTF’s “A” grade recommendation for other methods of colorectal screening, the coalition is looking to the USPSTF to review existing data on CTC proving that it offers patients a less expensive, minimally invasive option that increases screening rates and effectively detects cancers early.

“Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, making it absolutely essential that patients and doctors are utilizing the most effective services available to detect cancer early and prevent deaths,” said CTC Coalition member Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance. “Data shows that when CTC is offered in addition to other colorectal screening options, screening compliance rates dramatically increase. That is why we believe the USPSTF should endorse CTC.”

Earlier this year, President Obama opted for a virtual colonoscopy screening over a traditional colonoscopy.

“If the President has the option to choose a CTC screening, then surely America’s seniors should have the option available to them too.  Yet, Medicare doesn’t cover CTC and the USPSTF has yet to recommend it as a safe and effective colon cancer screening tool. The President’s policies aren’t aligning with his personal choices regarding CTC,” added Spiegel.  “Both the USPSTF, in its recommendation, and CMS, in its coverage, should follow President Obama’s lead by endorsing and reimbursing a screening test the data proves raises colon cancer screening compliance rates.”

According to Dr. Brooks Cash, Integrated Chief of Medicine and Staff Gastroenterologist at the National Naval Medical Center/Walter Reed Army Medical Center, when given the option, 40 percent of patients chose to undergo CTC. Moreover, 37 percent of patients who underwent colon cancer screening said they would not have been screened without CTC.  A similar effect has been seen at the University of Wisconsin, where overall screening rates for colorectal cancer have more than doubled per quarter over a five-year period, following the introduction of CTC as an additional screening option.

Additionally, a 2008 multi-site national CTC trial by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) found that CTC is comparable to standard colonoscopy in its ability to accurately detect cancer and precancerous polyps. The study was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Importantly, the ACRIN trial findings were released very close to the publishing date of the USPSTF’s last recommendations cycle for colorectal cancer screening. The coalition fears that this information may not have had the necessary time for full consideration by the USPSTF.

The letter was submitted in response to the August 5, 2010, announcement in the Federal Register regarding the “Solicitation for Nominations for New Clinical Preventive Health Topics To Be Considered for Review by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.” View the coalition’s letter here.