Focus On....Screenings for Colorectal and Breast Cancers with Archana Sookhoo, Director of Quality Improvement

It goes without saying that all of us at Ryan Health want you to be as healthy as possible. But did you know that we set goals to ensure that our patient population is getting all the information they need to make the right choices? That’s what we do in Quality Improvement (QI).

Right now, we are focused on increasing screenings for colorectal cancer and breast cancer. These simple tests save lives and require minimal effort on your part!

Colorectal Cancer Screenings

For colorectal cancer screenings, we develop a list of patients in the target age range, which is ages 45 to 75. You may hear from one of our team members to encourage you to be screened, following-up where you are in the process -- whether that is a missed appointment or if you have never had one scheduled. There are three options for colorectal cancer screenings:

• The preferred option is always a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets a healthcare provider check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine). The procedure is done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The tube has a light and a tiny camera on one end. It is placed in your rectum and moved into your colon. Colonoscopies can help prevent colorectal cancer by identifying and removing abnormal growths, called polyps, before they can develop into cancer. Polyps are common in people over 50 and most are benign, but some can become cancerous. Under most circumstances, you only need a colonoscopy every 10 years.

• The second option is Cologuard. You have probably seen their television commercials. This is a non-invasive, prescription-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test that looks for both abnormal DNA and blood in your stool. It is for those at average risk, and the results are good for three years.

• The third option is a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Like Cologuard, it’s a non-invasive at-home test that looks for blood in the stool. The results of a FIT test are good for one year.

There is no cost to you for these tests.

Our efforts are intended to overcome demographic disparities in colorectal cancer screenings. Blacks and Hispanic individuals are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer at an earlier age, underscoring the importance of regular screenings.

Our outreach effort uses multiple ways to reach patients: We call them directly to remind them of the screening and then to follow up. We show videos on the need for colorectal cancer screenings, and tips on how to take the tests at home, in our waiting rooms, and available here. We also send general text messages regarding preventive care and wellness visits, with a link to our online scheduler.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Most women are aware they should have a mammogram to check for breast cancer. Ryan Health follows guidelines developed by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that recommend that women at average risk begin getting mammograms every other year at age 40, through age 74.

We begin reaching out to women when they turn 40 to schedule their mammogram. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so anticipate greater visibility efforts then, but you can get a mammogram throughout the year. Better yet, get it on your schedule now!

Scheduling Appointments

These simple tests save lives. Colorectal cancer screenings and mammograms require referrals from your primary care provider (PCP). Ask if you should be screened at your next appointment, or to make an appointment with your PCP, use our Online Scheduler or call 212-749-1820.