Improving at-home colon cancer screening in Appalachia
Strategies for Optimizing a Mailed FIT Program in Appalachia
This project aims to make it easier for adults in Appalachia to complete their at-home colon cancer screening tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142562 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Colon cancer screening is important, but many people don't get screened, especially in areas like Appalachia where healthcare access can be challenging. At-home screening tests, called FIT, are a good option because they can be mailed to you and sent back. However, many people who receive these tests don't end up returning them. Our goal is to find better ways to help people complete and return their mailed FIT tests, working with health centers in Appalachian communities with high colon cancer rates.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 45-75 living in Appalachian regions who are due for colon cancer screening.
Not a fit: Patients who have already completed their colon cancer screening or live outside the targeted Appalachian region may not directly benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more people getting screened for colon cancer, potentially catching the disease earlier when it's easier to treat.
How similar studies have performed: Mailed at-home colon cancer screening programs have shown some success in increasing screening rates, but this project seeks to significantly improve the number of completed tests.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reiter, Paul L — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Reiter, Paul L
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 below.