Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis in Older Adults: A SEER-Medicare Analysis of Health and Economic Impact of Missed Screening Opportunities - Takeaways - MDSpire

Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis in Older Adults: A SEER-Medicare Analysis of Health and Economic Impact of Missed Screening Opportunities

  • By

  • Eshetu B. Worku

  • Selamawit A. Woldesenbet

  • Odysseas P. Chatzipanagiotou

  • Timothy M. Pawlik

  • July 16, 2026

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  • 1

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

  • 2

    By 2025, an estimated 154,270 new CRC cases and 52,900 deaths are projected, with significant economic costs exceeding $24 billion in 2020.

  • 3

    Screening uptake among adults aged 45–49 increased by 62% from 2019 to 2023, yet one-third of CRC cases still present emergently.

  • 4

    Social determinants of health significantly influence CRC diagnostic pathways, with rural and minority populations facing greater delays.

  • 5

    This study utilizes SEER-Medicare data to analyze diagnostic pathways and their impact on disease stage, treatment, survival, and costs.

Original Source(s)

Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis in Older Adults: A SEER-Medicare Analysis of Health and Economic Impact of Missed Screening Opportunities

  • by Eshetu B. Worku, Selamawit A. Woldesenbet, Odysseas P. Chatzipanagiotou, Timothy M. Pawlik

  • July 16, 2026

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