Working together to help employers improve access to cancer screening, care and support
Together, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Color Health are working on an innovative approach to increase cancer screening rates by engaging workforce populations through employers and labor unions. Each plays a unique role in supporting their employee and member populations across all stages of the cancer journey. Color Health’s Virtual Cancer Clinic combines ACS’s expertise in patient support, screening guidelines, and evidence-based cancer prevention research with Color Health’s leadership in health care delivery.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration integrates ACS’s patient support resources and screening guidelines with Color’s clinical care, accessible screening, and care advocacy. Together, Color and ACS are aiming to help employers, unions, and health plans improve cancer outcomes through evidence-based strategies, advancing ACS’s mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.*
For the first time ever, we are expecting to see over two million new cancer diagnoses this year in the US. While screening guidelines exist for the most common cancers, the challenge is ensuring Americans have the healthcare access they need. This doesn't stop at early detection. When a patient is faced with a cancer diagnosis, they need support at every step of the way. ACS is proud to work with Color Health to close the gap between coverage and access for 156 million American who receive health care coverage through their employer or union.
Helping employers, unions, and health plans take back control of cancer
Early results from the joint program demonstrate its significant impact on diverse populations. An eight-week cohort pilot study 1 conducted by Color assessed participants’ risk for breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer based on ACS guidelines, and given access to Color's clinical and care navigation team support. Key program outcomes include:
- 84% of participants reported increased familiarity with cancer screening timing and frequency
- Based on participant reports, guidelines-based screening adherence rates doubled to tripled after eight weeks
- 89% of participants rated their satisfaction with a Color clinician as "excellent" or "very good"
- 90% of participants expressed interest in emotional or social support in the event of a cancer diagnosis
Together, the American Cancer Society and Color are working together to enable employers and unions–who fund healthcare for about half of Americans–to turn the corner on the escalating human and financial toll of cancer. For dimensions of health where access and equity play an important role, employers have a unique opportunity to take ownership of the way in which their employees experience life-saving screening and prevention. Giving employers the tools to do just that is the goal of this collaboration.
Empowering patients with comprehensive support
Through this collaboration, the American Cancer Society and Color are committed to delivering a patient support experience that is comprehensive, compassionate, and deeply rooted in the most trusted cancer care resources available.
The program delivers on this by connecting participants to no-cost support services from ACS, such as Hope Lodge communities for lodging during treatment and Road to Recovery for transportation to appointments. Participants can also contact ACS to access various resources like the 24/7/365 support from ACS CARES and connect with peer networks like the Cancer Survivors Network and Reach to Recovery. These resources offer personalized, compassionate care at every step.
Expanding access to screening and support to close equity gaps
As part of a shared commitment to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for those most at risk, Color and the American Cancer Society are working to expand access to vital cancer screenings for disadvantaged groups, with a focus on colorectal and lung cancer.
Disparities in location, race, and socioeconomic status lead to late-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment delays for many Americans. In fact, nonmetropolitan areas face 23% higher mortality rates, while incidence is rising 2% annually in people under 54.
To address this, the American Cancer Society and Color Health have partnered on a pilot program to distribute free at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community clinics serving individuals in rural areas and other underserved communities, where barriers to healthcare access often hinder timely screening and early detection. These simple, effective tests detect blood traces in the stool, potentially signaling colorectal cancer or precancerous conditions. Select FQHCs and community clinics will be invited to receive the free FIT kits to distribute to eligible individuals, with Color's care teams managing follow-ups to ensure seamless continuity of care with their healthcare providers.
And in the case of lung cancer, screening rates in the U.S. are alarmingly low, with only 6% of eligible individuals screened nationally. To combat this, following the ACS’s updated lung cancer screening guidelines in November 2023, Color launched a free lung cancer screening support service available to anyone in the country based on ACS’s updated guidelines. This Color service helps individuals determine their screening eligibility, navigate to screening CTs, book covered appointments, and receive the necessary navigation support throughout the screening process.
More information on the American Cancer Society’s collaboration with Color Health’s and the efforts to support employee and member populations across all stages of the cancer journey can be found at Color Health’s website.
*The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization that routinely publishes guidelines, and as part of this program, ACS contributes its expertise and educational materials on cancer screening and prevention and connects participants who contact ACS with ACS cancer-related information. A portion of the fees generated from this program will be used to support the ACS mission. ACS does not provide medical or clinical care. ACS does not endorse any product, service, or providers.
1. Cohort pilot study participant details: All 100 study participants were between the ages of 45 and 65 and behind on at least one cancer screening. 51% of the population were assigned male at birth. 77% of the population were employed full time. 64% of participants were White, 14% were Black or African American, and 10% were Hispanic or Latino.
