Best way to start colon cancer screening earlier
Official title: Optimal early colorectal cancer screening initiation
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11251956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Finding better ways to encourage colon cancer screening for adults aged 45–49 so cancers can be found earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00CA267181-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are average-risk adults aged 45 to 49 who have not yet started regular colorectal cancer screening, especially those in underserved racial/ethnic or uninsured/Medicaid groups.
✕Less likely to help
People already regularly screened, those younger than 45 or older than 49, and individuals with known high genetic or medical risk who follow different screening plans are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
I would be part of work focused on people who just became eligible for screening at ages 45–49 to learn what helps or stops them from getting screened. Researchers will collect patient input and data on barriers like insurance, access, and awareness and try outreach approaches such as reminders or targeted messages. The project will focus on groups with higher burdens or lower screening rates, including Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, uninsured, and Medicaid populations. The aim is to design a tailored screening plan clinics can use to reach younger adults and reduce inequities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more people aged 45–49 get screened earlier, leading to earlier detection and fewer deaths from colon cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Outreach programs have improved screening in older adults, but applying targeted approaches specifically to the newly eligible 45–49 age group is relatively new and not well tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demb, Joshua Brian — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Demb, Joshua Brian
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.