UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The natural history of colorectal cancer (CRC), with progression from adenomatous polyps to cancer over a period of approximately 10-15 years, provides an excellent window of opportunity for screening and intervention. Regular CRC screening among individuals age 50 years and older has great potential for both primary and secondary cancer prevention. However, national surveys indicate that CRC screening rates in the United States remain low. The objective of this presentation is to describe and discuss a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the relative effects of a clinic-focused intervention, a combined patient- and clinic -focused intervention, and usual care on CRC screening among age-eligible average risk patients in primary care clinics.

Method: Clinicians and clinic staff will receive training and information about CRC screening, ways to engage patients in discussions about CRC screening, how to increase identification of patients eligible for CRC screening, and ways to increase patient tracking and follow-up in their clinics. Patients will receive information about CRC screening based on the “Screen for Life” campaign developed by CDC. This intervention targets the following CRC screening modalities: fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema.

Results: This study is in the first phase and results are anticipated in 2009.