Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: As healthcare policies evolve and screening guidelines are updated, adoption of mammograms and colonoscopies is expected to rise, leading to earlier detection. This may further strain healthcare resources, particularly among demographic groups historically under-prioritized for screening, with age and gender influencing these trends. This research aims to explore how up-to-date monitoring of screening trends, driven by RWD from medical claims, can provide insights into the impact of earlier detection and increased access to non-invasive screening methods on healthcare utilization and resource demand, and how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s updated guidance on screening in recent years impacted patient behavior.
METHODS: Quantitative analyses were conducted using approximately one billion de-identified patient-level medical claims between 2021 and 2023 to analyze utilization rates of mammograms, colonoscopies, and non-invasive colon cancer screening tests.
RESULTS: Among adults in their 30s, mammograms increased by 12.5%, nearly three times more than the percentage increase for all ages, and breast cancer diagnoses increased by 4%, double the percentage increase for all ages. There was a total increase of 100,000 breast cancer diagnoses among adults over 70 in 2023 compared to 2021. Colonoscopies increased by 90% among 45-50-year-olds and 16% across all other age groups. Double-digit increases occurred in at-home, non-invasive DNA-based testing (30.5%) and FIT testing (19.7%) among 40-49-year-olds.
CONCLUSIONS: Rising early detection rates and growing adoption of non-invasive screening methods present opportunities for improved outcomes and challenges in cost management. Targeted resource allocation is essential to address the growing financial burden on healthcare systems, particularly as diagnoses increase in younger and older adults. Leveraging RWD from up-to-date medical claims enables continuous tracking of screening and diagnosis trends, allowing HEOR professionals to identify emerging patterns in cost, treatment pathways, and patient outcomes, ultimately informing evidence-based strategies for optimizing resource allocation, enhancing cost-effectiveness, and promoting patient-centered, equitable approaches to cancer care.