How the Colorectal Cancer Control Program Increases Screening

Program background

CDC's Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) works with clinics, hospitals, and other health care organizations to put in place and strengthen strategies that have been shown to increase screening (called evidence-based interventions). CRCCP focuses on increasing colorectal cancer screening among people ages 45 to 75 in clinics that serve people with lower incomes and where fewer than 60% of patients are up to date with screening.

CRCCP collects and uses data to determine whether participating clinic partners increase colorectal cancer screening, and if so, how and for whom. These data guide plans for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.

Using evidence-based interventions

CRCCP uses strategies recommended by the Guide to Community Preventive Services focusing on four activities in partner clinics:

Provider assessment and feedback

Doctors are the most trusted source of colorectal cancer information. To make the most of this trust, we see how doctors and other health care professionals offer screening to their patients. Feedback is then given to these health care professionals to help them support their patients. Examples include:

• In a single clinic, checking how often doctors recommend appropriate screening and telling them how they compare to other doctors.
• Among several clinics, looking at the percentage of patients who are screened as recommended and sharing the results compared to a screening goal.

Provider reminders

Reminders tell doctors when it's time for a patient's screening test, or that the patient is overdue for screening. Reminders can be delivered via email or by:

• Using the reminder function in their computer system. Reminders could include the recommendations to be screened for colorectal cancer.
• Placing reminders for patients who are due for screening on paper charts before an office visit.

Patient reminders

Reminders letting patients know it is time for their screening can be in the form of a letter, postcard, email, text message, or phone call. Clinic staff may use their computer system to create reminders and keep track of how patients respond.

Removing structural barriers for patients

Structural barriers are problems that make it hard for people to get screened. Some ways to reduce these barriers include:

• Keeping clinics open later in the evening and on weekends.
• Offering services in other places, such as offering stool tests for colorectal cancer screening at flu vaccination sites or providing stool test kits that can be done at home and sent to a laboratory.
• Simplifying paperwork or procedures.
• Providing patient navigators to help patients through the screening process, including offering translation services, if needed.
• Providing transportation to and from the clinic.
• Providing an escort to help patients on the day of their procedure.
• Providing childcare.