Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act
The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, to award competitive grants to U.S. States (including DC and territories) to boost awareness and education about colorectal cancer and to improve early detection specifically in young individuals defined as under 45 years old. States would develop and implement plans to reach high-risk groups (such as those with family history, inflammatory bowel disease, inherited cancer syndromes, signs/symptoms like rectal bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia, and other risk factors) and to address underserved and rural populations, plus racial/ethnic groups and individuals with type 2 diabetes. Funds could be used for outreach, education, screening-related activities, patient navigation, clinician education, genetic testing/counseling referrals, surveillance, and program evaluation, among other items. Grants would last five years (renewable), with required reporting and a provision to return unspent funds.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: The act creates competitive grants to States, administered by the CDC, to increase awareness/education and to improve early detection of colorectal cancer in young individuals (under age 45).
- 2Target populations and outreach: Programs must focus on high-risk young people and also reach underserved and rural communities, including American Indian/Alaska Native and African American populations, and individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- 3Required program activities: States must include outreach on risk factors, education on early detection, partnerships with hospitals, clinics, tribal organizations, nonprofits, and colleges, and activities like navigation and program evaluation.
- 4Use of funds: Grants may support early detection/testing for at-risk youth, referrals and genetic counseling, public education campaigns, health professional education, quality monitoring of screening procedures, surveillance of risk factors, capturing family history/genetic predispositions, patient navigation, and clinician decision-support tools.
- 5Oversight and reporting: Grants are for five years (with possible renewal); unspent funds must be returned after the grant period; states must submit a report describing how funds were used within five years of receipt (including renewals).