Breaking Barriers: AAPA Receives Grant from Exact Sciences to Boost Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in 2024
Description:
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is proud to announce a new project, made possible through a grant from Exact Sciences, that aims to improve colorectal cancer screening rates. Physician associates/physician assistants (PAs) are often one of the first healthcare providers a patient sees, and thus are uniquely positioned to discuss screenings early on with patients. AAPA Chief Medical Officer Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, said PAs play an important role in educating and encouraging patients to complete colorectal cancer screenings.
“The 5-year survival rate for a patient who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the early stages is upward of 91%,” Orozco-Kolb said. “When a patient is diagnosed at a later stage, that survival rate drops to almost 14%. Screening through either at-home DNA stool testing or traditional colonoscopy procedures should be considered when having conversations with patients about what works best for them.”
The project consists of three phases. The first phase, which is underway, will feature focus group meetings with four federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Wisconsin and Arizona that previously received Exact Sciences funding to complete projects that improved colorectal cancer screening rates. These FQHCs were selected because they often serve underserved or uninsured patients who are less likely to access and complete colorectal cancer screenings.
Effect on Me:
This initiative will likely result in increased awareness and access to colorectal cancer screenings for individuals like me, making it easier to detect the disease early on and potentially improve survival rates.
Effect on the World:
By improving colorectal cancer screening rates on a national scale, this project has the potential to save lives and reduce the overall burden of the disease, ultimately leading to a healthier population and lower healthcare costs.
Conclusion:
The collaboration between AAPA and Exact Sciences to boost colorectal cancer screening rates marks a significant step towards improving public health outcomes and reducing the impact of this deadly disease. By empowering healthcare providers to engage in early discussions about screenings and developing innovative tools to enhance access, this project has the potential to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities nationwide.
