Improving colorectal cancer screening in rural areas through family support
Official title: Developing a Young Adult-Mediated Intervention to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening among Rural Screening Age-Eligible Adults
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10813769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help older adults in rural areas get screened for colorectal cancer by training their younger family members to encourage them, and it will gather information from both age groups to find the best ways to promote screening together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $89,340 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA270837-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10813769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include younger adults aged 25-44 and older adults aged 45-75 living in rural areas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural areas or are not within the specified age ranges may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance colorectal cancer screening rates among older adults in rural communities by training younger family members to encourage their participation. The approach involves collecting data from both younger adults (ages 25-44) and older adults (ages 45-75) to identify effective strategies for promoting screening. By leveraging family dynamics, the intervention seeks to increase awareness and readiness for screening among both age groups. The study will utilize mixed methods to gather formative data and optimize the intervention based on community needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase colorectal cancer screening rates in rural populations, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that family involvement can effectively improve health screening rates, suggesting this approach may be promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Carrie a. — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Miller, Carrie a.
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.