News Summary
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has formed a partnership with ARcare to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in seven rural Arkansas counties. This initiative aims to address the high rates of late-stage diagnoses and health disparities among Black adults and rural residents. The program seeks to screen 80% of eligible patients aged 45 to 75 within its first year. With rising colorectal cancer cases, particularly among younger adults, this partnership is crucial for enhancing health equity and early detection.
Little Rock, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has announced a new partnership with ARcare aimed at increasing colorectal cancer screening rates across seven rural counties in Arkansas. This initiative seeks to combat alarmingly high rates of late-stage cancer diagnoses and significant health disparities in these areas.
Colorectal cancer is among the most treatable forms of cancer when detected at an early stage. However, Arkansas reports a higher incidence of colorectal cancer cases and late-stage diagnoses compared to the national average. The initiative focuses on Monroe, Lonoke, Cross, Prairie, Woodruff, Miller, and Baxter counties, where Black adults and rural residents particularly experience higher rates of this disease. The partnership involves an ambitious goal to screen at least 80% of eligible patients aged 45 to 75 within the first year at 11 ARcare clinic locations.
Given the rise in colorectal cancer cases, particularly among younger adults, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated its guidelines, now recommending that regular screenings begin at age 45. In the past decade, colorectal cancer incidence among individuals under 50 years of age has increased by 2% annually, necessitating more proactive screening strategies.
To ensure comprehensive outreach, UAMS’s Community Outreach and Engagement Team will facilitate this initiative, which includes a cadre of nurse navigators and community health workers. Their primary focus is to provide education and care coordination in addition to screenings for underserved populations. Many residents in these targeted regions face significant barriers to accessing care, including issues related to transportation, time off work, and a general lack of awareness about the importance of screenings.
Statistics reveal that in 2021, there were 1,417 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Arkansas, positioning the state 17th nationally for new cases per capita. Alarmingly, the incidence rate of colorectal cancer among Black Arkansans is 28% higher than that of their white counterparts. This data underscores the urgent need for effective cancer screening programs to mitigate health disparities and improve outcomes for affected individuals.
The partnership between UAMS and ARcare marks a significant step towards addressing the colorectal cancer crisis that particularly affects rural communities and minority groups in Arkansas. By collaborating with local healthcare providers, the initiative aims to bridge the gap in awareness, accessibility, and timely diagnosis, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for residents.
Overall, the initiative represents a concerted effort to enhance health equity across the state and promote a greater understanding of preventive healthcare measures. The cancer institute, as the only academic cancer research center in Arkansas, brings valuable expertise and resources to this ongoing battle against colorectal cancer.
With effective strategies in place, this partnership aspires to save lives and reduce the incidence of advanced colorectal cancer by focusing on early detection and education in Arkansas’s rural communities.
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Additional Resources
- KATV: Arkansas Clinic Offers Free Colon Cancer Screenings
- Wikipedia: Colorectal Cancer
- KAIT8: UAMS Partners with ARcare to Boost Screenings
- Google Search: Colorectal Cancer Screenings
- People: Woman Catches Stage 4 Cancer
- Google Scholar: Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Parade: Iron May Increase Risk of Colon Cancer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cancer
- KATV: Free Screenings to Fight Colorectal Cancer
- Google News: Colorectal Cancer
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