Virginia Colorectal Cancer Screening Project (VACCSP) - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer related death in Virginia . Timely CRC screening is a powerful tool in preventing colorectal cancer. Screening can help prevent many cases of colorectal cancer by finding and removing precancerous polyps before they have a chance to turn into cancer. In addition, it can detect it in its early stage when it is more curable and treatment is more effective. Despite this knowledge, CRC screening rates continue to be low across the nation, including Virginia. According to Virginia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (VABRFSS) data, only 70.3% of Virginia adults are up to date with colorectal screening. Data further shows that disparities exist in screening, as individuals with limited education and low-income levels are less likely to be up to date with CRC screening . In addition, only 46.6% of Virginians served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), are up to date on colorectal cancer screening . These disparities in screening directly contribute to disparities in CRC incidence and mortality Virginia. Many barriers can affect an individual being up to date with CRC screening, including affordability, no family history or personal connection, lack of symptoms, negative perceptions about the test, more pressing health issues, no regular primary care to reinforce message, and the lack of a recommendation by ones doctor. The Virginia Colorectal Cancer Screening Project (VACCSP) will address many of these barriers, through collaborations with FQHCs serving underserved Virginia communities with low CRC screening prevalence to improve the CRC rates of their patients 45-75 years of age. This will be accomplished through the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed at increasing the effective utilization of provider reminder and recall systems, producing provider assessment and feedback reports, implementing initiatives aimed at reducing structural barriers, improving client-based reminder systems, and utilizing patient navigators (PN) to help patients overcome barriers to screening and follow-up. Over the five year project period, the VACCP expects to have, 1) increase the number of EBIs implemented; 2) increase the number of FIT tests returned and follow-up colonoscopies completed; and 3) increase CRC prevalence among FQHC clinics. These achievements will ultimately result in an increase in the number of CRCs prevented and CRCs diagnosed at an early stage, which, in turn will help to decrease the incidence and mortality of CRC in Virginia.
