Colorectal Cancer Screening Project

Overview

People who have a positive stool-based CRC screening test need to get a timely follow-up colonoscopy. The current unacceptably low adherence rate among the uninsured and underinsured is 50-70% and is attributed to a mix of clinical and non-clinical barriers. Lack of awareness among patients and health care professionals, local conditions and legislative and regulatory policies are among the reasons.

ASGE is collaborating with an array of key stakeholders to move the needle on this critical issue. The list includes:

health care facilities/FQHCs in states working with underserved populations
physicians and allied health care professionals
patient navigators
legislators and regulators
state and local advocacy organizations
community leaders.

This project is being funded with a grant from Exact Sciences, while Sebela Pharmaceuticals’ Braintree Laboratories has donated bowel prep products for patients who participate in this project and need a follow-up colonoscopy.

About the Project

With a potential for three phases (2023-2025), the project includes education, patient navigation and outreach components. The project is designed to create a roadmap that will help the most vulnerable patients navigate the process from beginning to end – including screening and, if applicable, a timely follow-up colonoscopy and treatment.

Objectives

Develop a financially sustainable model to ensure that uninsured/underinsured patients who have a positive a stool-based CRC screening test get a timely follow-up colonoscopy

Develop a roadmap to help patients navigate the CRC care process from beginning to end – including screening, follow-up and treatment (if applicable)

Fund developmental programs in Georgia and Maryland that have education, navigation and outreach components (i.e., primary sites/FQHCs)

Educate lawmakers on the need for funding for timely follow-up colonoscopies

Three Year Timeline

2023

2024

2025

Phase I

Hosted summits for state legislators and other key stakeholders in Georgia and Maryland in June and July
Hosted a national summit for leading CRC screening experts at ASGE on August 24
Selected primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland
Finalized project workflow process
Finalized educational resources

Phase II

Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will launch community outreach programs
Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will screening 300 uninsured/underinsured patients for colorectal cancer using mt-sDNA Cologuard® tests – with an overall goal of 600 successfully “resulted” tests
Costs associated with participants’ follow-up colonoscopies will be covered by ASGE
Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will track data
Continue efforts to educate lawmakers and other key stakeholders and build coalitions in Georgia and Maryland
Analyze project data

Phase III

Finalize project data
Advocate for appropriations to sustain the CRC screening programs
Share results at a symposium at DDW
Host briefings for policymakers and key stakeholders at the state and national levels
Develop a playbook to secure sustainable funding to screen vulnerable populations

ASGE/CRC Screening Citations & Resolutions

Georgia Senate Resolution

Georgia House of Representatives Resolution

Maryland Senate Citation

Maryland Senate Resolution

Maryland House of Representatives Citation

Advisory Council

Chair

Jennifer Christie, MD, FASGE

The University of Colorado
Denver, CO

Members

Tonya Adams, MD

Gastro Health-Virginia Division
Fairfax, VA

Iman Boston, MD, MBA

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR

Juan Carlos Bucobo, MD, FASGE

Northwell Health
Manhasset, NY

Lukejohn Day, MD, FASGE

University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Jason Dominitz, MD, MHS, FASGE

University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Pegah Hosseini-Carroll, MD, FASGE

University of Mississippi Medical Center,
Baptist GI
Jackson, MS

Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Brian Jacobson, MD, MPH, FASGE

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA

Inessa Khaykis, MD, FASGE

Vanguard Gastroenterology
New York, NY

Mark Marino, MD

GI Alliance
(Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates)
Metairie, LA

Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil

UCLA Health
Los Angeles, CA

Doug Rex, MD, MASGE

Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, IN

Colleen Schmitt, MD, MHS, MASGE

Galen Medical Group
Chattanooga, TN

Edward Sun, MD, MBA, FASGE

Peconic Bay Medical Center,
Northwell Health
Riverhead, NY

Javelle Wynter, MD

Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY

ASGE Support Staff

Donald J. Palmisano, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
Lakitia Mayo, Chief Policy and Member Engagement Officer
Siva Koppaka, SQL and iMIS Administrator (Project Database)
Tom Kornegay, Project Administrator