Increasing colonoscopy follow‑up after a positive stool colorectal screening at community health clinics
Official title: Evaluating a Multilevel Intervention to Increase Colonoscopic Follow-up after Abnormal Stool-based Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Community Safety-Net Setting
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11184329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests clinic‑level and patient supports to help people at community health centers get timely colonoscopies after a positive stool-based colorectal cancer screening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $607,484 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292236-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults receiving care at participating Federally Qualified Health Centers who have an abnormal/positive stool-based colorectal cancer screening test and need a follow-up colonoscopy.
✕Less likely to help
People without a positive stool test, those already up-to-date with colonoscopy, or patients who do not receive care at participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you receive a positive stool-based colorectal cancer test (FIT) at a community clinic, this project offers extra clinic and patient supports aimed at helping you complete a colonoscopy. The team is using a cluster-randomized approach where whole clinics are assigned to deliver the multilevel intervention or usual care, and they will track patients' follow-up rates and timing. The intervention includes workflow changes, outreach from clinic staff or navigators, reminders, and help addressing barriers such as scheduling, insurance, and transportation. Data will come from clinic records and follow-up contact to see whether these practical changes improve timely colonoscopy completion in low-resource settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could increase timely colonoscopies after a positive stool test and help catch colorectal problems earlier when they are easier to treat.
How similar studies have gone: Previous programs using patient navigation and multilevel supports have improved follow-up in some health systems, but results have varied and few trials have tested these approaches in safety-net FQHC settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: May, Folasade Popoola — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: May, Folasade Popoola
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.