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Targeted Intervention Program Increases Colorectal Cancer Screening in NYC
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A coalition formed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in New York City has increased screening colonoscopy rates 40% over 4 years, according to a report published in Cancer.
“We know that routine colorectal screenings save lives, and we continue to educate the public of the importance of this,” Lina Jandorf, MA, research professor of oncological sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a press release. “Thanks to our efforts, screening rates have dramatically increased and lives have been saved.”
Although colorectal screening is a widely accepted practice nationally, screening rates vary between states and cities nationwide, according to study background.
Thus, Jandorf and colleagues from several New York-based medical centers, in concert with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, sought to increase screening rates and ensure equal access to colorectal screenings with respect to race and ethnicity among New Yorkers.
The NYC Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition, or C5 Coalition, was formed in 2003, with a primary focus on developing and implementing strategies across the city to achieve the goal of increased colonoscopy receipt.
To achieve their goals, the coalition held an annual summit, increased education among the general public and specific underserved communities, engaged in ongoing outreach to health care professionals about the need for colorectal cancer screening, established patient navigation programs and designed a direct referral initiative to streamline the colonoscopy referral process.
The screening colonoscopy rate among New Yorkers was 42% in 2003, when the coalition was formed. The screening rate increased to 62% in 2007 and to 69% in 2013.
Significant gaps existed between the screening rates for black, non-Hispanic white, Asian and Hispanic New Yorkers in 2003. By 2007, the screening gaps between black, non-Hispanic white and Hispanic individuals were eliminated, according to the researchers. The gap for Asian New Yorkers closed in 2010.
The coalition found that in 2009, significant screening disparities existed among individuals who spoke Russian or Chinese at home, compared with English- and Spanish-speaking individuals. Thus, they tailored outreach programs to communities with high concentrations of Russian and Chinese speakers, including ethnic radio and newspaper campaigns, as well as media interventions.
“The increased screening rates from 2003 to 2012 translates to an additional 833,000 New Yorkers who have undergone screening colonoscopy and represents an important public health intervention,” Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, professor of gastroenterology and oncological sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a press release. “By making screening accessible and providing high quality screenings, we can reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in men and women.” – by Cameron Kelsall
Disclosure: Itzkowitz reports consultant fees and research support from Exact Sciences Corporation, as well as personal fees from the American Cancer Society. Jandorf reports personal fees from ACS. Other study researchers report consultant fees from Applied Proteomics Inc., CDx Diagnostics, Covidien and Exact Sciences Corporation.
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