Investigating early-onset colorectal cancer symptoms and treatment access
Official title: Early onset colorectal cancer: from symptoms to treatment in a large, safety-net cohort
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11174380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how often younger people under 50 with symptoms of colorectal cancer, like stomach pain and rectal bleeding, get the tests they need, especially focusing on the challenges faced by racial and ethnic minorities, so we can find ways to help them get diagnosed and treated faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD019369-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include younger individuals under 50 who are experiencing symptoms associated with colorectal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are over 50 years old or those without any symptoms related to colorectal cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), which affects individuals under 50 years of age. It aims to understand the prevalence of symptoms and the barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. The study will analyze how often tests for colorectal cancer are ordered and received by younger patients who present with symptoms like abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. By identifying factors that contribute to diagnostic delays, the research seeks to improve early detection and treatment options for this growing patient population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnoses and improved treatment outcomes for patients with early-onset colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing barriers to diagnosis can improve outcomes for cancer patients, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hughes, Amy E — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hughes, Amy E
Related research
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Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.
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.