Virtual Cancer Screening and Support Program: A Model for Improving Cancer Care Continuity Through Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship
Author(s)
Anjali D. Zimmer, PhD, Cynthia L. Neben, PhD, Kelly Tangney, M.S., Hannah Hoban, M.S., Hau-Ling Poon, B.S., Suzette Puente Pimentel, PhD, Scott Topper, PhD.
Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA.
Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Cancer care can be disjointed and difficult to navigate for patients and primary care providers, with up to 80% of patients not receiving timely follow-up and management. A virtual cancer screening and support program with a multi-disciplinary model that intervenes at critical points during the patient’s journey has the opportunity to improve care continuity and outcomes.
METHODS: Patients enrolled online or over the phone in a virtual cancer screening and support program and completed a cancer risk assessment questionnaire. Based on their personalized cancer risk for breast, lung, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancer, they were offered appropriate services including at-home screening, assistance with scheduling in-person screenings, treatment support, mental health services, and survivorship care. The program also provided care navigation for further follow-up as needed.
RESULTS: A total of 5,271 patients enrolled in the program, and 71% completed the cancer risk assessment questionnaire. The majority of patients were female (59%) and white (56%), and the median age was 42. At least one participant enrolled from all 50 states. At-home cancer screening test results were returned to 902 patients, 5.3% (48/902) of which were abnormal and required additional follow-up. Of those, 39.6% of patients (19/48) completed follow-up in-person screening, 20.8% (10/48) were in the active process of completing screening, and 39.6% (19/48) were lost to follow-up. We present a case study of a 35-year-old female who received an abnormal result from at-home HPV testing for cervical cancer and was navigated through in-person follow-up care including a pre-cancer diagnosis and treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: A virtual cancer screening and support program facilitated distributed care, resulting in >60% of participants receiving or actively pursuing follow-up for abnormal screening results, surpassing industry standards. This model presents a promising framework for enhancing cancer care delivery across diverse populations.
METHODS: Patients enrolled online or over the phone in a virtual cancer screening and support program and completed a cancer risk assessment questionnaire. Based on their personalized cancer risk for breast, lung, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancer, they were offered appropriate services including at-home screening, assistance with scheduling in-person screenings, treatment support, mental health services, and survivorship care. The program also provided care navigation for further follow-up as needed.
RESULTS: A total of 5,271 patients enrolled in the program, and 71% completed the cancer risk assessment questionnaire. The majority of patients were female (59%) and white (56%), and the median age was 42. At least one participant enrolled from all 50 states. At-home cancer screening test results were returned to 902 patients, 5.3% (48/902) of which were abnormal and required additional follow-up. Of those, 39.6% of patients (19/48) completed follow-up in-person screening, 20.8% (10/48) were in the active process of completing screening, and 39.6% (19/48) were lost to follow-up. We present a case study of a 35-year-old female who received an abnormal result from at-home HPV testing for cervical cancer and was navigated through in-person follow-up care including a pre-cancer diagnosis and treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: A virtual cancer screening and support program facilitated distributed care, resulting in >60% of participants receiving or actively pursuing follow-up for abnormal screening results, surpassing industry standards. This model presents a promising framework for enhancing cancer care delivery across diverse populations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD72
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Oncology