An online tool to help people decide on colorectal cancer screening options
Official title: Automated Colorectal Cancer Educational Support System (ACCESS): Development and Validation of a Novel Online Decision Aid for Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10839837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful online tool called ACCESS that aims to make it easier for people to understand their options for colorectal cancer screening, so they can make informed choices and talk more effectively with their doctors about getting screened.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $261,320 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA245033-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10839837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 50 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer and have not yet undergone screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already up-to-date with their colorectal cancer screenings or those at high risk requiring different management strategies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an online decision aid called ACCESS to improve the uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The tool will help patients understand their screening options by presenting personalized information based on their preferences and needs. By engaging patients in shared decision-making, the aim is to increase screening rates among those who are currently unscreened. The decision aid will also facilitate communication between patients and their healthcare providers through integration with electronic health records.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of individuals participating in colorectal cancer screening, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that decision aids can effectively improve patient engagement and screening rates, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Almario, Christopher V — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Almario, Christopher V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
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Making colorectal cancer screening easier and more likely to happen
This project uses default options, simpler choices, and direct outreach to help average-risk adults who are overdue complete colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy or stool tests.
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AI/AN Tailoring of a Home-Based Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
A tailored, home-based cancer screening program helps AI/AN adults screen for cervical and colorectal cancer from home using self-collection tests and culturally aligned education.
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Bringing colorectal cancer screening to adults 45–54 who haven’t been screened
A grant to help low-income adults aged 45–54 start colorectal cancer screening through the Boston area’s community health centers.
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Increasing follow-up colonoscopies after a positive FIT in community clinics
Aims to help people with abnormal stool tests for colorectal cancer get timely follow-up colonoscopies in safety-net clinics.
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Colorectal cancer screening with real-time imaging that may replace sedated scopes
Researchers are testing a new imaging method called optical coherence tomography (OCT) to spot and treat colon polyps without the need for sedation during a screening colonoscopy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.