Guardant Health’s Post

Exciting news in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening! 🩸🧬 The FDA approved Guardant Health's Shield blood test for adults 45+ with average risk of CRC. Key points: - Meets Medicare coverage requirement but is not yet covered by any other insurers - Self-pay price: $895 - 83% effective in identifying colon cancer with 90% specificity for advanced neoplasia (20,000-patient NEJM study) - Only 13% sensitivity for polyp detection While colonoscopies and fecal tests like Exact Sciences' Cologuard remain standard, Shield offers a simple blood test alternative. This should boost screening rates—crucial as colon cancer incidence rises, particularly among younger individuals. In 2023, the American Cancer Society reported that 20% of CRC diagnoses in 2019 were in patients younger than 55. In 1995, it was only 10%! #HealthcareTech #Cancer #MedicalInnovation #Shield https://lnkd.in/gWQz7zJE

🔬 Michigan Takes a Stand for Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatments 🔬 Michigan state senator Jeff Irwin is championing a new bill to ensure that health insurance companies cover innovative cancer treatments, regardless of classification. The proposed legislation aims to close loopholes and expand coverage for therapies like genetic therapy and immunotherapy, including CAR-T cell therapy. Key Points: -Senator Irwin's bill builds upon existing laws mandating coverage for cancer drugs, extending the requirement to cutting-edge treatments approved by the FDA and prescribed by physicians. -The legislation addresses recent cases, such as one highlighted by ProPublica, where individuals were denied crucial treatments due to classification technicalities. -By closing these loopholes, Michigan seeks to ensure that all residents have access to life-saving cancer therapies, preventing tragic outcomes like the one documented by ProPublica. Looking Ahead: -If passed, the bill will provide critical support for cancer patients, offering hope and improved outcomes in their fight against the disease. -Michigan sets a precedent for prioritizing patient care and advancing healthcare access, paving the way for similar initiatives nationwide. Stay Informed: Follow the progress of Senator Irwin's bill and stay updated on advancements in cancer treatment coverage in Michigan. Together, we can ensure that every patient receives the care they need to combat cancer effectively. #Healthcare #CancerTreatment #Michigan #PatientCare

St. Charles Health System has a new pilot program with PacificSource Health Plans to streamline automatic coverage approval for patients needing cancer treatment. The program is based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, which have been used by St. Charles Health System for their quality cancer program for 20 years. With the new program, cancer patients will be automatically or near instantly approved for care, and St. Charles Health System will concurrently review the rare outlier cases with the plan and their experts. In the first three months of the pilot program, more than 80% of patients have had their treatment plans approved the same day. This compares to approximately 50% of all other patients. Overall, the new pilot program is a promising approach to streamlining automatic coverage approval for cancer patients. It has the potential to reduce anxiety for patients and improve clinical outcomes. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q02xj0zQ0

"State and federal policies have a tremendous impact on payment reform and the transition to a value-based cancer care system, whether it's site of service, working in hospitals and dealing with consolidation and then what comes off of that, whether increasing costs, 340B markups, et cetera, or it's pharmacy benefit managers and the impact on the overall access to system. Then you also can get into things such as insurance regulation and how that impacts patients being able to access the right drug and right treatment in the right time, in the right place for their unique situation. So all of this big, systemic world of public policy can have a really big impact on payment reform and cancer care and the cancer experience and how much we're spending on that system." Shared some thoughts on importance of payment reform in #oncology with Pharmacy Times at the Community Oncology Alliance #PayerExchangeSummit. https://lnkd.in/e2prruHt

🚀💡 **Uncover the Future of Colon Cancer Screening!** 💡🚀 Did you know colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.? 🤯 The newly FDA-approved **Shield test** could revolutionize screening! 💉 💥 This affordable blood test makes early detection easier, and early detection = higher treatability. Are you ready to amplify your health strategy with this groundbreaking tool? 🩺✨ 💬 How would this innovation impact your approach to health? **Key Takeaways:** 🔍 Early detection is crucial for treatment success. 💸 The Shield test offers a cost-effective screening option! Stay ahead in health innovations, and let's discuss! 🤔👍 Share your thoughts: thumbs up or down? #HealthInnovation #ColorectalCancer #ShieldTest #EarlyDetection #FDAApproval #HealthcareRevolution #BusinessInsights #HealthTips #CancerScreening

When it comes to screening, individuals aged 45-75 should most defiantly be screened for colorectal cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). This age range may vary depending on potential risk factors on an individual basis. When looking at cancers that affect men and women, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). It also has the second highest treatment cost of any of the cancers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). This is why cancer screening for colorectal cancer is so important. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to start screening at age 45 per the current guidelines! References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health and Economic benefits of colorectal cancer interventions. https://lnkd.in/epFNjeta

One of the most dreaded conversations to have with your doctor is a cancer diagnosis. This is why there is such a push for early detection to increase the rate of survival. A new study estimates that cancer screening costs $43 billion annually in the US, with colorectal cancer screening accounting for 64% of the total.  The study found that: * 88% of screening costs are paid by private insurance * 8.5% by Medicare * 3.2% by Medicaid and other programs.  This might seem like a very high price tag, but compared to the cost of not catching cancer early, I think this is a worthwhile investment. Just ask any cancer survivor.

⭐ There's a need for earlier cancer screenings ⭐ With one in two people developing cancer over the course of their lifetimes, people take out health insurance to ensure rapid access to quality cancer treatment. Awareness and screenings are key to catching cancer early. And our data shows members of all ages need to be aware of the risks. Our data shows that cancer risk increases with age, but one in four cancer claims are made by members under 50. 📢 65% of cervical cancer claims are for women under 50 📢 Skin cancer is the biggest cause of cancer for men under 50 We’ve recently enhanced our cancer screening offerings. We now offer all members the opportunity to complete a cancer risk assessment at no extra cost. Through our partnership with Check4Cancer, we’ve introduced online cancer risk assessments for five of the most common cancers; breast, bowel, cervical, prostate and skin cancer – accessible through Care Hub. #vitality #prevention #cancerscreening #vitalityhealth #healthscreening 1Health Claims Insights Report, 2023

Access to Free Lung Cancer Screening for Smokers: A Potential Lifesaver #access #cancer #free #freelungcancerscreeningforsmokers #lifesaver #lung #potential #screening #Smokers

CNN HEALTH weekly newsletter-Image Start screening for breast cancer at age 40, new task force recommendations say Women are now advised to get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40 and until age 74, according to new recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. The USPSTF, a volunteer panel of independent medical experts whose recommendations help guide doctors’ decisions and influence insurance plans, previously recommended that biennial mammograms start by age 50 and the decision for women to screen in their 40s “should be an individual one.” The updated recommendations do not apply to people with a personal history of breast cancer, a genetic marker or syndrome that may put them at a high risk of breast cancer, such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, or those with a history of high-dose radiation therapy to the chest or a history of a high-risk breast lesions. These patients should either stay on the plan outlined by their physician or talk to their doctor about what’s best for them. The benefit of screening for breast cancer is that it can help diagnose cases early, before the cancer has spread, which reduces the risk of dying from the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, after skin cancer, and it’s the second-leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer.