Expanded Access to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Rural Populations in Upstate New York
Residents of rural regions exhibit higher colorectal cancer mortality rates and are less likely to receive routine colorectal cancer screening than urban residents.Grantee Name
American Cancer Society, Eastern Division Inc.
Funding Area
Special Projects Fund
Publication Date
August 2010
Grant Amount
$23,630
Grant Date:
January 2008 – June 2009
Residents of rural regions exhibit higher colorectal cancer mortality rates and are less likely to receive routine colorectal cancer screening than urban residents.
Three New York State counties—Cortland, Delaware, and Steuben— were selected for a targeted mail intervention approach because of their rurality, colorectal cancer mortality, and high percentages of late-stage diagnosis. The American Cancer Society developed this intervention to increase enrollment of uninsured and underinsured rural residents, ages 50 to 64 and in need of colorectal cancer screening, into the New York State Cancer Services Program. In addition, they hoped for program-eligible rural residents to begin or to increase their use of home-based colorectal cancer screening tests when made aware of the program.
Outcomes and Lessons Learned
- Steuben County screened 80 clients using the incentives provided through this grant during the grant period.
- Delaware County screened 52 clients during the grant period, using a combination of incentives, including those provided through this grant.
- Cortland County screened 80 clients during the grant period, using a combination of the incentives, including those provided through this grant.