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A colorectal cancer follow-up initiative

Closing the gap between a positive screening test and life-saving follow-up care.

Every positive non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test should be followed by a timely diagnostic colonoscopy. Yet many patients never complete this critical next step. ColonOwl is working to better understand this challenge and explore technology-enabled approaches that support patients, providers, and health plans.

We’re interviewing healthcare leaders

Share your experience with colorectal cancer screening follow-up in a confidential 25-minute conversation.

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The follow-up gap

A positive result is not the finish line.

Screening saves lives only when every positive result reaches the essential next step.

Why follow-up matters

Screening is a process.
Not a single test.

An abnormal non-invasive screening result is not a diagnosis. Colonoscopy is the essential next step that allows clinicians to find the cause, identify cancer, or remove precancerous growths.

45–751

USPSTF screening ages

Screening is recommended for average-risk adults in this age range. Positive non-invasive tests require colonoscopy for the benefit to be achieved.

See reference 1 ↓
~2×2

Odds of advanced-stage disease

In a large U.S. cohort, colonoscopy 10–12 months after a positive FIT was associated with nearly twice the odds of advanced-stage colorectal cancer compared with follow-up within 30 days.

See reference 2 ↓
1803

Days in proposed COF-E

NCQA’s draft MY 2027 measure evaluates colonoscopy completion within 180 days after a positive non-invasive test.

See reference 3 ↓

Statistics describe published evidence and the measurement landscape—not ColonOwl outcomes.

References

  1. 1

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Colorectal Cancer: Screening. Recommendation statement, May 2021.

  2. 2

    Corley DA, Jensen CD, Quinn VP, et al. Association Between Time to Colonoscopy After a Positive Fecal Test Result and Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Cancer Stage at Diagnosis. JAMA. 2017;317(16):1631–1641.

  3. 3

    National Committee for Quality Assurance. Colorectal Cancer Screening Follow-Up (COF-E), draft MY 2027 specification. Draft measure document.

One gap, many perspectives

Follow-up is a shared challenge.

The journey crosses organizational boundaries. Understanding each perspective is the starting point for meaningful improvement.

01

For patients

A positive result can create uncertainty. Clear next steps, timely follow-up, and coordinated support matter on the path to diagnosis.

Current research focus
02

For health systems

Referral leakage, manual navigation, scheduling bottlenecks, fragmented workflows, and capacity constraints can all interrupt follow-up.

Current research focus
03

For health plans

Quality measurement is evolving. NCQA is developing COF-E to evaluate colonoscopy completion after a positive non-invasive screening test.

Current research focus

Our mission

Start by listening.
Build with evidence.

ColonOwl is beginning with discovery: listening across the care pathway before deciding what to build.

We are mapping the operational handoffs, barriers, and support needs that determine whether patients reach diagnostic care.

01Research
02Customer discovery
03Prototype
04Pilot partnerships
05Future platform

Participate in the research

Help shape the future of colorectal cancer follow-up.

We’re interviewing population health leaders, quality executives, gastroenterologists, nurse navigators, care coordinators, health plan leaders, and clinical informatics professionals.

Contact or join the research ↗Explore the evidence
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