Colorectal cancer screening - using informatics and compunetics to empower the at-risk individual

Population-based cancer screening is most effective and cost efficient when offered through an organized screening program that incorporates all elements of the screening process, including information systems that support optimal program operation, monitoring, and evaluation. Although it is well accepted that organized population-based cancer screening programs can effectively reduce mortality, little effort has been invested in designing, developing, and implementing information systems to support these programs. This paper presents a prototype information management system for organized population-based cancer screening. A typical colorectal cancer screening program was modeled for illustration of organized cancer screening workflow, key functional features were investigated, and a system infrastructure and architecture designed. The system as designed facilitates the sharing and management of information among the many stakeholders involved in the program (e.g., participant, family physician, specialist, hospitals, laboratories pharmacist). Throughout the functional design phase of this project, empowerment of the-at risk individual with access to personalized information and support was the core consideration. The leveraging of existing health records to facilitate risk profiling, and the proactive engagement and education of individuals with personalized information were considered key functional requirements of the system. The system was designed to provide participants with easy web-enabled access to view their status in the cancer screening program, and on-line resources to facilitate scheduling of activities, updating of personal profiles, and access to additional relevant information. By proactively engaging individuals, providing them with personalized information, and facilitating their involvement in the cancer screening program with easy-to-use information management tools, the likelihood of program enrollment and participation will be greatly increased.