” Hello?? Hello, this is health insurance. Have you considered breast cancer screening? »
Since September 2024, more than 25,000 social security workers in Haute-Vienne have been or will be contacted by telephone to carry out their mammogram, as part of organized breast cancer screening, or to use the kit which can detect the presence of blood in the stools, in the context of colorectal cancer.
These telephone interviews are part of a new system from the primary health insurance fund (CPAM), called “go towards”, which is aimed at vulnerable people who are far from the health system. (see the profile of the people concerned below).
“We have results in terms of participation in these screening campaigns which must improve,” indicates Aymeric Seguinot, director of CPAM 87, the organization which sends invitations to the people concerned*.
People “late for screening”
Concretely, among women aged 50 to 74 invited for breast cancer screening in the department, only 54% perform a mammogram (compared to 56% at the regional level). Far from the 70% recommended at European level. As for colorectal cancer, it is worse: around 28% of eligible Haut-Vienne patients (men and women), again aged 50 to 74, take the test (for a target of 65%).
In order to promote these fully covered examinations and encourage early diagnosis, Health Insurance has decided to be more proactive by directly contacting 1.4 million people by telephone, who are “overdue for screening”.
A call center in Dordogne
Seven outgoing call platforms, where more than 100 telephone advisors work, have been created in mainland France and overseas. “For New Aquitaine and our department, the center is in Périgueux,” explains Anthony Ponticaud, deputy director of CPAM 87.
Based in Dordogne, the teleadvisors must contact 7,332 women identified by the CPAM of Haute-Vienne for breast cancer screening and 17,691 people for colorectal cancer.
“It’s about motivating policyholders, understanding what the obstacles are – whether they are psychological, geographical, practical –, helping them collect a kit for colorectal cancer or supporting them until they make an appointment. you with a mammogram, since we have partnerships with radiologists from Limoges University Hospital and private centers,” continues the primary fund. Thirty-nine slots reserved specifically by practices and the hospital have already been granted.
One million more screenings
Beyond this approach, the primary fund also sends to the treating doctors, in their professional email, the list of their eligible patients who have not carried out the screening, to motivate them through a health professional in who they trust.
These actions integrate the national strategy to combat cancer 2021-2030, one of the objectives of which was to carry out 1 million additional screenings by 2025.
Since January 1, 2024, the management of organized cancer screening programs has been entrusted to Health Insurance. Sending invitations is therefore no longer the responsibility of the regional cancer screening coordination centers (CRCDC).A change which caused excitement in these structures. In New Aquitaine, its budget was reduced by 30%
. Practical.
Find out more about the terms of the three organized screening programs (breast, colorectal and cervical), on the website jefaismondepistage.fr
What is the profile of the people contacted?
Not all policyholders affected by the organized screenings are called. The following were targeted by CPAM 87: those who do not have a treating doctor, or no complementary health insurance, patients with long-term illnesses, beneficiaries of Supplementary Solidarity Health, etc.
“People who have not been screened for several years or those who live in an area where participation is low are also identified,” explains Anthony Ponticaud.
Health
