Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States. Colonoscopy is the best screening test available for colon cancer, but more importantly, colonoscopy can prevent colon cancer by removing growths called polyps that can lead to colon cancer.
People between the ages of 50 and 75 with a low risk of developing colorectal cancer and no worrisome findings during colonoscopy should be advised to have their next colonoscopy in 10 years. The first measure shows how many patients age 50 to 75 with normal findings from a colonoscopy were recommended to have their next screening colonoscopy in 10 years.
For those whose screening colonoscopy identified precancerous polyps, the next screening colonoscopy is recommended by most experts to occur within 3 years. The second measure shows how many patients age 18 and older received a screening colonoscopy within 3 years after the previous colonoscopy.
How does UAB Medicine perform?
| Timely & Effective Measures | National Average | Alabama Average | UAB Hospital | Comparison Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy follow-up: percentage of patients receiving appropriate recommendation for follow-up screening colonoscopy | 90% | 85% | 97% |
What is UAB Medicine doing to improve?
- Following best-evidence guidelines, UAB Medicine recommends and provides colorectal cancer screenings based on national colon cancer screening guidelines.
- Internal audits are performed to identify and meet opportunities for improvement in these measures.