March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. More Minnesotans die of colon and rectal cancer than either breast or prostate cancer. Screening tests offer a powerful opportunity for the prevention of, early detection and successful treatment of this disease but 1 in 3 Minnesotans 50 and older are still not getting screened.

In March 2009 the Minnesota Cancer Alliance partnered with the American Cancer Society to host a Health Systems roundtable to develop strategies to increase screening. In August, the Minnesota Cancer Alliance helped convene an Advisory Council to create a framework for action around. Subgroups have been working on recommendations to simplify billing, patient and provider messages and support clinical quality improvements throughout the state.

This summer, the Minnesota Cancer Alliance will partner with these organizations to create a learning collaborative for medical groups who want to improve their colon cancer screening rates according to the revised ICSI guidelines and Minnesota Community Measurement metrics. Stay tuned for more information!