Monitoring online information and communication gaps about colon cancer screening
Official title: Using Natural Language Processing and Crowdsourcing to Monitor and Evaluate Public Information and Communication Disparities about Colon Cancer Screening
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11322064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses computer language tools and input from crowd volunteers to find what information people see and share online about colon cancer screening, especially for groups less likely to get screened.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,160 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA259156-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322064 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21 and older) who are eligible for colon cancer screening or concerned about CRC prevention—especially those from groups with lower screening rates or limited access to accurate online information—are the intended focus.
✕Less likely to help
People under typical screening age, those who do not use online or social media, or individuals already well-informed about screening may not directly benefit from the project's communication changes.
What this research studies
The team will scan digital and social media using natural language processing to identify messages about colon cancer prevention and screening. Crowd volunteers will help label and interpret messages that are hard for computers to classify. Researchers will compare what different groups encounter online to find gaps or misleading information, including content about risks like alcohol use. Findings will be used to point out where communication could be improved or tailored to people at higher risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could make online information about colon cancer screening clearer and better targeted so more people in at-risk groups get screened.
How similar studies have gone: NLP and crowdsourcing have helped monitor and improve messaging in other public-health areas, but applying these methods specifically to colon cancer screening disparities is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Andy J — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: King, Andy J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Colon Cancer Family Registry Cohort study for smarter prevention and care
A large international group is following thousands of people with colorectal cancer and their relatives to better understand risk, causes, and outcomes so future patients can get better guidance and treatment.
-
Bioengineered Networking Microbes for Targeted Colon Cancer Therapy
A project tests a engineered bacteria-based therapy designed to target colon tumors and boost the body’s immune response in people with colon cancer.
-
How DNA methylation patterns are kept in colon cancer and what happens when they’re disrupted
Researchers are studying how the molecular marks that control gene activity are maintained in colon cancer and how breaking these marks affects cancer growth and treatment response.
-
Adaptive aerobic exercise plans during chemotherapy for colon cancer
This study tests personalized aerobic exercise during chemotherapy for people with colon cancer to help them stay on their planned treatment schedule and reduce side effects.
-
Immune regulation in colon cancer and its spread to lymph nodes and liver
A patient-friendly look at how immune system circuits in colorectal cancer and its metastases may influence treatment responses and outcomes.
-
Biomarker discovery in colon cancer with advanced metabolomics
A new project will use advanced chemical analysis to find blood- and tissue-based markers that indicate colon cancer and its progression.
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.