Colorectal Cancer Screening

To address the colorectal cancer control goals included in the state's cancer plan, the North Carolina Division of Public Health's Comprehensive Cancer Unit (CCU) applied "lessons learned" in implementing the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP). The CCU designed a pilot project to conduct colorectal cancer screening in 10 local health departments encompassing 15 counties in diverse regions of the state. The project specifically targeted low-income women with little or no health insurance and raised awareness about the importance of early detection. Already participating in the state's BCCCP, these women were encouraged to participate and to invite their husbands to take advantage of the colorectal cancer screening program. The CCU provided educational materials, an in-service educational program on colorectal cancer for the local staff, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits for all participants aged 50 or older, funding for staff time and administrative costs (including transportation), and funds to cover additional diagnostic testing of positive results. Participants received information on colorectal cancer and were offered FOBT kits.

The goal of this program is to improve early detection of colorectal cancer through regular screening.

A total of 1,478 participants (including more than 240 men) were counseled and offered FOBT kits; 1,226 took the kits home, and 706 (including more than 100 men) completed and returned the test kits. Of these, 148 tests were positive, resulting in 107 successful referrals for follow-up testing. (Some clients declined further testing.) Ten precancerous polyps (three among men) were found, and four cancers (two among men) were diagnosed.