This year, an estimated half million Americans will lose their lives to cancer,
and three times that many will be diagnosed with this devastating illness.
Cancer patients are parents and grandparents, children and cherished friends;
the disease touches almost all of us and casts a shadow over families and
communities across our Nation. Yet, today, we stand at a critical moment in
cancer research that promises significant advances for patients and an
accelerated pace of lifesaving discoveries. During National Cancer Control
Month this April, we remember those we have lost, support Americans fighting
this disease, and recommit to progress toward effective cancer control.
Prevention and screening are our best defenses against cancer. All Americans
can reduce their risk by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting
sun exposure, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, living tobacco-free, and
taking advantage of appropriate regularly scheduled cancer screenings. For
those covered by Medicare, regular screening with a healthcare professional can
play a key role in preventing cancer and detecting the disease early, when it
is often most treatable. Under the Affordable Care Act, more people with
Medicare can now receive many preventive services at no additional cost.
Medicare provides coverage of the following cancer screenings:
* Breast Cancer (mammography and clinical breast exam)
* Cervical and Vaginal Cancer (pap test and pelvic exam (includes the
clinical breast exam))
* Prostate cancer (PSA blood test and Digital Rectal Exam)
* Colorectal Cancer
* Fecal Occult Blood Test
* Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
* Colonoscopy
* Barium Enema
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that a physician's recommendation is the
most powerful factor in a patient's decision to receive preventive and
screening services. By discussing Medicare-covered cancer screenings and other
available options, and engaging patients in decision-making regarding their
choices, you can help prevent, treat, and beat the disease. Encourage your
patients to get screened-it could save their lives.
More Information for Healthcare Professionals:
* MLN Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Healthcare
Professionals<http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf>
(see Chapter 11)
* MLN Preventive Services Educational Products
Webpage<http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp>
* MLN Cancer Screenings
Brochure<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Cancer_Screening.pdf>
* MLN Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive
Services<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MPS_QuickReferenceChart_1.pdf>
* Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services
brochure<http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/smoking.pdf>
* National Cancer Institute website<http://www.cancer.gov/>
* Smokefree.gov website<http://www.smokefree.gov/>
________________________________
If you know someone who would like to subscribe to a Medicare Fee-For-Service
(FFS) provider listserv, go to
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads//MailingLists_FactSheet.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/MailingLists_FactSheet.pdf>
.
If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go
to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?INDEX) to unsubscribe or to leave the
appropriate listserv.
Please DO NOT respond to this email. This email is a service of CMS and routed
through an electronic mail server to communicate Medicare policy and
operational changes and/or updates. Responses to this email are not routed to
CMS personnel. Inquiries may be sent by going to
(http://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/ContactCMS/index.html).
Thank you.
