Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee Affirms National Institutes of Health’s Commitment to Colorectal Cancer Screenings

WASHINGTON, D.C.– This week the National Cancer Institute and the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a State-of-the-Science Conference to assess the available scientific research related to colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Advocacy Committee, which includes national and state ASC associations, as well as representatives of all types of ASC operators and physicians, applauds NIH for recognizing the integral role ASCs play in our country’s health system.
 
The three-day conference provided a forum for a necessary discussion on the importance of screening in detecting colorectal cancer. With approximately 50,000 annual deaths related to colorectal cancer, NIH seeks to ultimately provide healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers and the general public with a comprehensive assessment of how colorectal cancer screening and surveillance are most appropriately implemented, monitored and evaluated for average-risk populations nationwide. 
  
Laura Seeff, MD of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented the CDC’s ongoing research into the medical community’s capacity for colorectal cancer screening citing ASCs role in providing this important service. In fact, more than 40 percent of Medicare colonoscopies are provided in ASCs.
 
There are approximately 5,200 ASCs nationwide, offering patients seeking these services easy access and convenience within their community. Each facility is staffed with a team of specialized medical professionals providing high-quality care. Patients report a 92 percent satisfaction rate in the healthcare services they receive in the ASC setting.