Moving towards optimal care pathways for colorectal cancer in South West Victoria

Abstract

Optimal care pathways have been introduced by Cancer Council Victoria. Our study performed an analysis of treatment and care for colorectal cancer patients in regional/rural South West Victoria and any deviations from optimal recommendations are discussed. There were 298 newly diagnosed patients (71.8yrs SD 12.6yrs) in 2015. Private health insurance (PHI) was held by 142 (48%) and not by 144 (49%) (11 Veterans' Affairs excluded). A higher proportion with PHI had a colonoscopy within 4 weeks of referral (79% versus 52%) and their first surgical consultation within 2 weeks (76% versus 47%). More with PHI had surgery performed (88% versus 77%), fewer were presented to a multidisciplinary meeting to discuss treatment options (47% versus 77%) and had a higher survival rate for the first 12 months (92% versus 79%) (all p<0.02). More patients who held PHI were receiving treatment and care within required time frames and had better short-term survival.