Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and easily treatable, if caught early. Screening methods include colonoscopies or stool-testing kits, but they’re not exactly fun to do, and can lead some adults to postpone these tests for years.
To improve colorectal cancer screening rates, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a $4.2 million grant to researchers with the University of Missouri School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy and the Missouri Pharmacy Association. The plan is to leverage a common healthcare setting that average-risk patients frequent: the pharmacy.
“Pharmacy technicians trained as community health workers will be able to provide patients with tailored information about colorectal cancer risk factors and screening options,” grant recipient Jane McElroy said. “Technicians and pharmacists will also support care navigation and coordination with the patients’ primary care clinicians, ensure patients complete testing, and follow up with any next steps."
A total of 100 pharmacies will be split into two groups: one that will provide only education, and the other that will join the patient on their screening journey. Part of the grant will study if having enhanced support with pharmacy engagement helps improve screening rates; for example, a technician might call someone to remind them to schedule testing.
“We are hopeful that utilizing pharmacies will help reach patients with limited access to care, such as in rural communities, and connect them to colorectal screening opportunities,” McElroy said. “These patients may not have a hospital nearby, but over 95% of Americans live within ten miles of a pharmacy.”
Military veterans will also be targeted as a patient population, as they’re at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to U.S. Medicine. They may have had exposure to toxic chemicals while serving, and they face other unique healthcare challenges like disrupted access to care when transitioning out of service.
“Expanding access to colorectal cancer screenings across all populations will help save lives,” McElroy said. “Early detection of colorectal cancer translates to a 90% five-year survival rate, with less invasive treatment required. If this model is successful, it could be the blueprint for implementing more preventive care services in pharmacies.”
Jane McElroy, PhD is a professor, Research Director and the Opal Lewis Distinguished Faculty Scholar in the Family and Community Medicine department at the Mizzou School of Medicine. She is also co-director of the Rural Health Research Center and assistant director of the NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Joining McElroy on the grant from Mizzou is Heather Pierce, MD, assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine and Nai-Wei Chen, PhD, assistant research professor of Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics and Medical Epidemiology. The Department of Defense grant will provide $4.2 million over the next four years, until 2030. The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity, 808 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick MD 21702-5014 is the awarding and administering acquisition office.
