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 ↓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.
Select several possible times—we’ll confirm one by email.
U.S. cohort evidenceJAMA · 2017
70,124
patients with a positive FIT
Follow-up at10–12 months
Corley et al. · View reference 2 ↓was associated with nearly twice the odds of advanced-stage colorectal cancer compared with follow-up within 30 days.
The screening journey
1Patient
2Non-invasive test
3Positive result
4Referral
5Colonoscopy
6Early detection
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.
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 ↓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
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Colorectal Cancer: Screening. Recommendation statement, May 2021.
- 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
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.
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 focusFor health systems
Referral leakage, manual navigation, scheduling bottlenecks, fragmented workflows, and capacity constraints can all interrupt follow-up.
Current research focusFor health plans
Quality measurement is evolving. NCQA is developing COF-E to evaluate colonoscopy completion after a positive non-invasive screening test.
Current research focusWhy now
The landscape is changing.
Screening is expanding
Non-invasive tests offer a practical path to reach more eligible adults.
Coordination is in focus
The benefit of screening depends on what happens after an abnormal result.
Measurement is evolving
COF-E reflects growing attention to timely diagnostic follow-up.
New tools are available
Data, automation, and carefully applied AI may help care teams understand and improve workflows.
Our mission
Start by listening.
Build with evidence.
ColonOwl was created to better understand why patients are still lost after abnormal colorectal cancer screening—and to explore practical, technology-enabled approaches that improve follow-up.
Our current focus is listening to clinicians, quality leaders, health systems, gastroenterologists, and health plans.
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.
Select several times that work for you. We’ll confirm one by email.