Kara Pierro

Aside from the physical challenges associated with colorectal cancer, managing the many health administrative aspects of a chronic disease is an added burden to the lives of patients and their caregivers. The Colon Cancer Foundation has recently announced a collaboration with Backpack Health, a Konica Minolta Service, to offer a solution that helps patients organize, share, and manage their health records. Living with a chronic illness doesn’t need to feel like a full-time job. 

Similar to a real backpack, Backpack Health’s platform allows users to both portably store and access their health information via an app on iOS or Android phones, or via the website on a tablet or computer. Through the Colon Cancer Foundation’s group on Backpack Health, users living with colorectal cancer will be able to share their health information, including lab reports, information from their specialists, and medications, with designated family members and health care providers. All of the data users enter in Backpack Health is stored in the cloud, encrypted in Backpack’s database, and 256-bit encryption protects data sent over the network and secure HTTPS (HTTPS) sessions. To learn more about data security with Backpack Health you can 

We have answered some frequently asked questions to help you get started with this new tool:

How do I join the Colon Cancer Foundation’s group?

https://my.backpackhealth.com/join/colorectalcancerregistry

What is Backpack Health and how can it help me?

Backpack Health is a platform available on the web and in your mobile app store that can be used for storing your own and your family’s medical records, letting you access your health information anywhere and at any time. By having an organized location for your medical records, you can easily manage and share new information such as test results or care plans with your healthcare team and your family. Eliminating the administrative need of compiling records in a physical folder or journal can help keep your records secure and in one spot—to be accessed either on the website or the app.

Additionally, once you’ve made a data connection with your patient portal, you’ll see periodic notifications to review and add new data to your Backpack profile. The data connection scans for new information in your patient portal every few days, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself.

What are some important features of this tool?

You are in control of what information is shared, inputted, or viewed. As a user, you will have access to a user profile, where you can connect to your patient portals, include information about meal plans, medications, notes from your doctor, and so much more. Additionally, you can add family members, parents, or anyone you care for on your profile and include all of their health information, doctors’ contact information, etc.

Some features allow you to make personal notes or reminders to yourself, for when you visit your next specialist, for example. You can be reminded to ask your doctor if you can eat certain foods or use a certain product. Backpack Health is designed to make your health a priority, without consuming other aspects of your life.

The Share Card feature on the platform puts you in charge of who sees your or your dependent’s health information. Some may choose to share their child’s health information with the school nurse or a new babysitter, with a family member that is accompanying you to a procedure, or even a friend you may be traveling with—the possibilities are entirely your choice, depending on what is best for you and your dependent’s health.

You have the option of creating a general health history Share Card and an emergency Share Card. You can also create custom Share Cards where you choose what information is displayed. The card can be shared as a secure URL or as a downloadable PDF.

Are my healthcare providers able to edit my information?

No, your healthcare provider cannot edit your health information. However, you can create a data connection to your patient portal in order to pull in medical records that your provider has made available to you and store them in your Backpack profile.

You can also share parts or all of your health history with a new or existing provider by creating a Share Card and providing the URL and passcode to the person you want to review that information, or printing off a PDF.

What if English isn’t my first language?

Backpack Health is available for use in six languages (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and German), eliminating barriers between you and your health care team. This could also be a big advantage during international travel.

How will I know my health information will be secure?

 that “All of the information you store on Backpack Health is encrypted. Information stored in the cloud is encrypted in our database, and 256-bit encryption protects data sent over the network and secure HTTP (HTTPS) sessions. Threat-detection services monitor Backpack Health’s systems continuously for unauthorized or malicious activity. And you can also keep your data extra safe on all of your devices by enabling 

Keeping your health information safe is a main priority.

What if I can’t figure out how to use Backpack Health?

Kara Pierro is an intern with the Colon Cancer Foundation.

Articles

Aside from the physical challenges associated with colorectal cancer, managing the many health administrative aspects of a chronic disease is an added burden to the lives of patients and their caregivers. 

FAQ: Colon Cancer Foundation’s Newly Formed Partnership with Backpack Health, a Konica Minolta Service

Colon cancer and rectal cancer, commonly grouped together as colorectal cancer (CRC), is on the rise among individuals under the age of 50, with the most notable increase observed amongst individuals aged 20-39 years, according to the 

Recently, award-winning actor and “Black Panther” star, Chadwick Boseman, 

lost his 4-year long battle to colon cancer

 at age 43. Boseman’s tragic death provides an opportunity to convey the urgent message of how colon cancer can impact a young person’s health, even if they are younger than the suggested screening age for those at average risk--usually 50 years.

Colon and rectal cancer remain the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., and fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. In 2020, an estimated one million lives will be lost to CRC across the globe.

The main difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer is the location of the cancerous lesion(s). The last 12 centimeters of the large intestine is identified as the rectum, while the rest of the large intestine is classified as the colon. Differentiating between the two requires the help of a doctor and advanced imaging technology. Identifying whether a person has colon or rectal cancer is also important to identify the treatment strategy needed to fight the cancer.

Colon cancer has about a 2% risk of recurrence. Rectal cancer, on the other hand, has about a 20% chance of recurrence due to the absence of a protective layer called the serosa that exists in the colon. Rectal cancer even poses a greater risk of spreading to surrounding organs—a process known as metastasis.

Metastasis can complicate treatment as the cancerous cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other areas in the body, most commonly the liver. This process will also advance the cancer to stage IV, the most aggressive stage.

Recent trends indicating the steepest increase in incidence rates amongst younger age groups means young adults should pay careful attention to their gastrointestinal health. Though older age and aging are risk factors for CRC, colon and rectal cancers can both be attributed to varying lifestyle influences including diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption. Specifically, a low-fat diet high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables is best recommended for reducing the onset of colon and rectal cancer. Additionally, a colonoscopy is best recommended for identifying colon and rectal cancer, and is often called the “gold standard,” due to the ability to prevent 90% of CRCs.

Most importantly, visit a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur as they may be a sign of CRC:

Abnormal bowel movements that last for more than a few days

Prevention and detection are simultaneous in most cases, which is why it is important to “check your butt” as early as you can!

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are diseases that younger generations need to take seriously. 

Kara Pierro

FAQ: Colon Cancer Foundation’s Newly Formed Partnership with Backpack Health, a Konica Minolta Service

Colon and Rectal Cancer Can Be a Reality For Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z

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