Colorectal Cancer Screening Expansion in Rural Pennsylvania – CDC Grant
- Penn State Collage of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase colorectal cancer screening rates...
- "Increasing access to colorectal cancer screening will save lives," said Fornessa T. Randal, principal investigator of the grant, director of the Centre for Advancing Health Equity in Rural...
- Colorectal cancer is a critically important public health concern in the United States, ranking among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.
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Penn State Receives $4.2 Million CDC Grant to Expand colorectal cancer screening in Pennsylvania
Penn State Collage of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in rural and underserved communities across Pennsylvania. this marks the first time a Pennsylvania institution has received CDC funding specifically for this purpose, highlighting the critical need for improved access to screening.
“Increasing access to colorectal cancer screening will save lives,” said Fornessa T. Randal, principal investigator of the grant, director of the Centre for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities, associate professor of medicine and public health sciences, and associate director of Research Excellence and Health Systems Engagement at the Penn State Cancer Institute. “This award allows us to support providers across Pennsylvania in learning from one another, scaling what works and offering patients in both rural and urban communities a full range of effective screening options.”
The statewide Need for Increased Screening
Colorectal cancer is a critically important public health concern in the United States, ranking among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, despite being highly preventable through early screening and detection, it continues to claim many lives. Pennsylvania faces a particular challenge in ensuring equitable access to these life-saving screenings.
Early detection is key. Colorectal cancer often develops from precancerous polyps, which can be removed during a colonoscopy, substantially reducing the risk of cancer growth. Screening options include colonoscopy, stool-based tests (like fecal immunochemical test or FIT), and CT colonography. The choice of screening method should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer screening Options
| Screening Method | How it effectively works | Frequency (if negative) |
|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy | A long,flexible tube with a camera is used to view the entire colon. Polyps can be removed during the procedure. | every 10 years |
| Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) | Detects hidden blood in stool, which can be a sign of polyps or cancer. | Annually |
| CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy) | Uses X-rays to create images of the colon. | every 5 years |
The CDC provides comprehensive information on colorectal cancer screening, including guidelines and resources for patients and healthcare providers: