The draft ordinance of the Minister of Health amending the ordinance on guaranteed benefits in the field of health programs was submitted for consultation.
Changes in screening for colorectal cancer
Published April 15, 2022 09:32
The development of this project was dictated by the need to ensure the continuity of the implementation of screening for colorectal cancer. So far, the program has been implemented on the basis of the National Program for Combating Cancer Diseases, replaced by the National Oncological Strategy - NSO.
According to this document (area 3 Investments in the patient - Secondary Prevention; action 11.4) - from 2022, screening colonoscopy is financed by the National Health Fund, hereinafter referred to as "NFZ".
The assumption and goal of the colorectal cancer screening program is to improve the quality and effectiveness of colorectal cancer detection in beneficiaries.
The need to implement the screening program for colorectal cancer to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of November 6, 2013 on guaranteed benefits in the field of health programs (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 2209) results from the demographic changes taking place in the Republic of Poland, m .in .: increase in the percentage of elderly people, increase in life expectancy and long-term growing trends in the incidence of colorectal cancer, which forecasts a further increase in the incidence of cancers of this organ. These phenomena necessitate the coverage of the largest possible percentage of people eligible for screening programs by prophylactic colonoscopy, hence the benefits under the program will be provided to beneficiaries who report to service providers implementing the program who meet exhaustively specified eligibility criteria.
The necessity to provide services in the health care system is also confirmed by the analyzes published by the World Health Organization (WHO), which show that in 2030 malignant neoplasms will be the main cause of death in the world. Despite the development of specialist oncology centers in the country, implementation of the National Program for Combating Cancer Diseases, replaced by the National Oncological Strategy - NSO and more and more drug programs, this phenomenon will also apply to the Republic of Poland. Colorectal cancer is currently the second position (after lung cancer) among all cancer cases in the Polish population and the second in the group of oncological causes of death.
The screening test will consist of a full colonoscopy with visualization of the bottom of the caecum and the proximal fold of the Bauhin valve in beneficiaries aged:
1) 50–65 years old,
2) 40–49 years of age who have a first degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
The basic exclusion criteria were indicated as:
1) clinical symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer;
2) colonoscopy in the last 10 years.
The introduction of rational solutions in the organization of health care for this group of recipients, aimed at ensuring the continuity, coordination and appropriate quality of care for these patients, will enable checking the effectiveness of this care.
The expected effect of the colon cancer screening program is, in addition to the organizational simplicity (one test every 10 years), the possibility of removing colorectal polyps, which are considered precursor states for colorectal cancer. Screening colonoscopy will not only reduce mortality by detecting early asymptomatic forms of cancer, but also reduce incidence - that is, the number of new cancers in the future by removing polyps. Maintaining the continuity of the implementation of activities as well as supervision over the quality of services provided, will allow for further positive results for patients and the health care system.
Project: HERE
Source: RCL
