The overwhelming burden of colorectal cancer in Europe
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most diagnosed cancer globally and Europe’s second-deadliest cancer, responsible for approximately 150,000 deaths each year. Studies indicate that prevention and treatment strategies could reduce CRC mortality rates by 27% by 2030, however, data demonstrates that only one-third of the eligible population in Europe actually participated in CRC screenings.
As such, evidence suggests that only a minority of CRC patients are diagnosed at Stage I, with a survival rate at c. 90%. This rate falls significantly, to c. 10% for Stage IV diagnoses. This highlights the significant potential to improve health outcomes by increasing early detection rates while containing costs.
AXA’s ONCOSCREEN research plan
As a global health insurer, together with ONCOSCREEN partners, AXA aims to identify innovative financial schemes for colorectal cancer screening programmes with public-private partnerships. In collaboration with universities, patient associations, and public payers, AXA will consider how novel funding models may lead to better health outcomes by increasing the access to, and adoption of, colorectal cancer screening.
AXA’s research for the ONCOSCREEN project will focus primarily on creating a holistic evaluation and providing living guidelines towards the uptake of ONCOSCREEN solutions. AXA’s preliminary research focuses on the adoption of colorectal cancer screenings in Europe, their respective funding models, and the underlying barriers preventing individuals to undertake (CRC) screenings (e.g. the invasiveness of procedures, economic access, etc.).
AXA’s preliminary research plan can be broken down into three major phases:
- Practice, funding, and participation of CRC screening in Europe
- Underlying drivers of CRC screening participation
- Innovative schemes to increase CRC participation in cancer screening
The main barriers to colorectal cancer screening
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme uptake is critical to the success of population-based screening programmes, with higher rates associated with mortality reduction and higher cost-effectiveness. Moreover, it is crucial to identify the predictors of screening uptake and develop strategies to promote screening participation, particularly among at-risk population groups.
The following themes were identified, around which the barriers to CRC screenings can be addressed:
- Awareness
- Assistance
- Communication channels
- Psychology and emotions
- Social determinants and attitudes
- Screening modality
The focus on these themes helped identify various targeted strategies to tackle the barriers to screening, such as wider public awareness events, personal support from healthcare workers, personal invitations to screening, and increased screening test simplicity.
Through conducting this research, AXA then hopes to make evidence-based policy recommendations that consider both policy measure constraints across Europe and the feedback of public and private experts.
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