Key Points:
- UC Davis Health launched a digital health program for colorectal cancer screening using the Cologuard test to coincide with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.
- Early detection of colorectal cancer is crucial for effective treatment. The program aims to provide patients with convenient and less invasive screening options to improve the chances of detecting cancer at an early stage.
- Cologuard is a non-invasive, stool DNA-based test that detects blood in stool and 11 distinct biomarkers associated with colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps. It boasts a 92% success rate in identifying polyps at their earliest and most treatable stages.
- UC Davis Health employs a multidisciplinary team to make Cologuard kits available and conducts digital outreach through the UCNOW cellphone text message platform to encourage patients to undergo at-home screening.
- The text messaging platform aims to increase patient engagement and convenience by allowing patients to conduct screening on their own time. Initial results show positive patient interest in receiving Cologuard kits.
- UC Davis Health’s Digital Colab serves as the digital health innovation hub, collaborating with startups, life sciences, and industry to develop and implement digital health technologies. The Operations Center of Excellence supports digitally enabled care models and care at home to deliver advanced healthcare services.