HARRISBURG — Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) today applauded the Senate’s passage of legislation expanding access to colorectal cancer screening in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1123 would lower the age at which colorectal cancer screenings are covered from 50 to 45, update the guidelines references in state law to the most recent edition, and align insurance coverage with the tests recommended by those guidelines.
Robinson offered an amendment to the legislation, supported by the American Cancer Society, to expand the range of evidence-based colorectal cancer screening tests covered by insurance.
“Early detection saves lives, and we must do everything we can to make colorectal cancer screening more accessible to Pennsylvanians,” said Robinson. “This legislation will help remove barriers that keep people from getting screened. I’m proud to have worked with the American Cancer Society to strengthen this bill and help more Pennsylvanians take an important step toward protecting their health.”
Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early. In fact, when detected in its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 91 percent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about one-third of adults ages 45 to 49 who should be screened for colorectal cancer receive testing. Expanding screening options can help address barriers associated with traditional testing methods and encourage more people to get screened.
“When more people get screened, more cancers are caught early,” Robinson said. “Improved screening can help reduce late-stage diagnoses, improve colorectal cancer outcomes, save money by preventing the need for costly treatments of cancer that wasn’t caught early, and most importantly, save lives across Pennsylvania.”
Robinson’s amendment incorporates current guidance from the American Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand access to appropriate screening options, including blood-based and stool-based tests, as well as cell-free DNA testing when recommended.
“While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, we know different options can make a difference in whether someone follows through with testing,” said Robinson. “The best screening test is the one a patient completes. Giving patients and providers more evidence-based options can help detect cancer earlier and ultimately save lives.”
House Bill 1123 as amended now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence.