Reinsurers are “uniquely positioned” to help close global gaps in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, a report from SCOR has found. Low participation continues to drive late-stage diagnoses, higher mortality, and rising healthcare costs.
The report, authored by Prof. Eric Raymond, SCOR’s chief medical advisor for medical underwriting modeling, and consulting psychologist Alexandra Stulz, highlights persistently low screening rates among adults 45 to 75, despite the widespread availability of effective detection tools.
CRC ranks among the most common cancers worldwide. In 2020, incidence was highest in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe at 40.6 cases per 100,000, while mortality peaked in Eastern Europe at 20.2 deaths per 100,000. Without improved detection, SCOR projects 3.2 million new CRC diagnoses and 1.6 million deaths annually by 2040.
The report also flags a sharp rise in early-onset CRC – diagnosed before age 50 – which climbed from 6% of cases in 1990 to 13% in 2023, a trend linked to sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, and higher red meat consumption.
Five key barriers limit screening uptake: low risk perception, limited health literacy, fear of procedures or results, logistical and financial challenges, and the impact of chronic disease compounded by poor mental health. A 2025 study cited in the report found psychosocial barriers – such as discomfort and embarrassment – were the most common obstacles to colonoscopy.
Mental health is a critical factor. Individuals with depression, anxiety, or chronic stress are less likely to get timely screenings and more likely to present with advanced cancer. Patient navigation and counseling interventions increased screening rates from 11.8% to 47.1% in vulnerable populations, the report notes.
Screening method also matters. A 2025 Lancet trial showed participation at 31.8% for colonoscopy versus 39.9% for fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). A 2026 study found mailing FIT kits with reminders boosted participation by 20% and follow-up colonoscopy compliance by 24%. Finland’s national program, which mails kits with prepaid returns directly to participants, serves as a successful model, the report highlighted.
For reinsurers, the financial case is clear: missed screenings drive higher downstream costs from advanced disease, the authors noted. The report suggests strategies including mailed kits, digital reminders, mobile health units, and integrated mental health and chronic disease management programs. Digital health tools alone have improved uptake by 20%–37% in underserved populations.
“As (re)insurers, we have a role to play by prioritizing prevention – not just as a tool to improve the bottom line, but also as a way of engaging policyholders to improve their health and wellbeing,” Raymond and Stulz wrote.
The report suggests that boosting CRC screening adherence is clinically sound and economically justified, with modest upfront investments offering long-term savings through avoided late-stage cancer claims.
