American Cancer Society
Summary
Residents of rural regions exhibit higher colorectal cancer mortality rates and are less likely to receive routine colorectal cancer screening than urban residents. Three New York State counties—Cortland, Delaware, and Steuben— were selected for a targeted mail intervention approach because of their rurality, colorectal cancer mortality, and high percentages of late-stage diagnosis. The American Cancer Society developed this intervention to increase enrollment of uninsured and underinsured rural residents, ages 50 to 64 and in need of colorectal cancer screening, into the New York State Cancer Services Program. In addition, they hoped for program-eligible rural residents to begin or to increase their use of home-based colorectal cancer screening tests when made aware of the program.
Grant Goals:
As a result of this project, the American Cancer Society expected to:
- Demonstrate that the use of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service’s Consumer Health Profiles, overlaid with the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) regional cancer burden data, will improve the delivery of cancer information to rural populations.
- Increase the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals enrolled in the NYSDOH Cancer Services Program for cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services, and annual follow-up.
- Provide evidence that the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is better accepted than the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), as demonstrated by a higher return rate of FIT test samples than FOBT test samples within a rural, underserved population.
Grant Outcomes:
Colorectal Screening Outcomes of this project:
- Steuben County screened 80 clients using the incentives provided through this grant during the grant period.
- Delaware County screened 52 clients during the grant period, using a combination of incentives, including those provided through this grant.
- Cortland County screened 80 clients during the grant period, using a combination of the incentives, including those provided through this grant.
Grantee Information:
- Grantee Website: http://www.cancer.org/
- Grant Amount: $23,630