Investigating colorectal cancer risk factors among Alaska Native people

Building a Cancer Epidemiology Cohort to Investigate Factors Associated with Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer among Alaska Native People

NIH-funded research Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium · NIH-10894545

This study is looking to find out why Alaska Native people have higher rates of colorectal cancer, and it will involve 1,000 participants who will get screened with colonoscopies to help discover new ways to prevent this cancer and better understand its risks for everyone, especially younger people in the U.S.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Anchorage, United States)
Project IDNIH-10894545 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to understand the reasons behind the high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) among Alaska Native people, who experience significantly higher incidence and mortality rates compared to other populations. The study will establish a cohort of 1,000 individuals who will be enrolled before undergoing colonoscopy screening at various locations, including Anchorage and regional Tribal hospitals. By identifying new risk factors for CRC, the research seeks to inform prevention strategies and improve risk prediction for this population. The study will also explore broader implications for understanding CRC risk in younger individuals across the U.S.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include Alaska Native individuals aged 21 and older who are scheduled for colonoscopy screening.

Not a fit: Patients who are not Alaska Native or those who are not eligible for colonoscopy screening may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and risk assessment for colorectal cancer among Alaska Native people.

How similar studies have performed: This research is novel as it is the first cohort study specifically investigating colorectal cancer risk factors among Alaska Native people, although similar epidemiological studies have shown success in other populations.

Where this research is happening

Anchorage, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.