Improving access to colorectal cancer screening through pharmacies
Official title: Expanding access to colorectal cancer screening through community pharmacies: The PharmFIT study
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11018612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how we can make it easier for people in underserved communities to get screened for colorectal cancer by offering simple tests at local pharmacies, so they don’t have to go to a doctor’s office, and then helping those who test positive get the follow-up care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $649,259 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279010-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals from medically underserved communities who are at risk for colorectal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already receiving regular colorectal cancer screenings or those who do not have access to community pharmacies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance colorectal cancer screening for underserved populations by utilizing community pharmacies to distribute fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). The approach involves making these tests available in pharmacies, where patients can easily access them without the need for a traditional medical visit. By following up positive test results with diagnostic colonoscopies, the study seeks to reduce colorectal cancer mortality rates. The project will evaluate how effective and feasible this pharmacy-based intervention is in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase colorectal cancer screening rates and reduce mortality among underserved populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-traditional healthcare settings for cancer screening, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brenner, Alison T — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Brenner, Alison T
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.