Improving colorectal cancer screening using a digital toolkit
Official title: Developing and Testing a Digital Toolkit to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11051184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful digital tool called the eNav Toolkit to make it easier for people at community health centers to get screened for colorectal cancer by providing reminders and information right on their phones or computers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,325 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA248981-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are patients at federally qualified health centers and are due for colorectal cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not eligible for colorectal cancer screening based on age or medical history may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing colorectal cancer screening rates among patients at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) through a digital health solution known as the eNav Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to assist patients with decision-making regarding screenings, provide appointment reminders, and offer educational resources about colorectal cancer. By making the toolkit accessible on smartphones, tablets, and computers, the aim is to reach underserved populations effectively. The study will refine and test the toolkit to ensure it meets the needs of patients and improves screening uptake.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of patients receiving timely colorectal cancer screenings, potentially reducing cancer mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that patient navigation strategies can effectively improve colorectal cancer screening rates, indicating that this digital approach may also be successful.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Sarah J — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Miller, Sarah J
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.
-
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.