Personalized follow-up plans for people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50
Official title: Risk stratified survivorship care pathways for early-onset colorectal cancer
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11285286 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will create tailored follow-up and support plans that match surveillance and services to the recurrence risk and needs of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer under 50.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | March 21, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $591,567 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA275907-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285286 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with stage I-III colorectal cancer before age 50, especially survivors residing in the participating regions, are the primary group this work focuses on.
✕Less likely to help
People with stage IV disease, those diagnosed at age 50 or older, or patients living outside the studied regions are less likely to directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
We will work with cancer registries in Georgia, Kentucky, and Los Angeles County to study patterns of cancer coming back among people diagnosed with stage I-III colorectal cancer before age 50. Using a new method, researchers will estimate how likely recurrence is for different groups and gather information about survivors’ medical, financial, and emotional needs. That information will be used to design risk-stratified care pathways that match how closely someone needs to be watched and what support services they should receive. The goal is more useful, fair, and easier-to-navigate survivorship care for younger colorectal cancer survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to follow-up schedules and support services that better match each younger survivor’s risk and needs, reducing unnecessary testing and improving access to help.
How similar studies have gone: Risk-stratified follow-up has been used in other cancers, but applying population-level recurrence estimates and tailored pathways specifically to early-onset colorectal cancer is largely new.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wallner, Lauren P — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wallner, Lauren P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving care pathways for young colorectal cancer survivors
This study is working to create personalized care plans for people under 50 who have survived early-onset colorectal cancer, so they can get the right follow-up care based on their specific needs and risks.
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Improving care for lung and colorectal cancer survivors through telehealth support
This study is looking to help people who have survived lung or colorectal cancer by offering them friendly support through online sessions with experienced nurses, so they can better manage their health and improve their quality of life after treatment.
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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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Understanding how survivorship care plans affect health outcomes for cancer survivors
A study will look at whether survivorship care plans help reduce deaths and improve health for adults who have survived cancer.
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Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study
A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
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Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults
A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.
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.