Maryland Colorectal Cancer Control Program
Description
Since 2009, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has received funding through cooperative agreement awards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address colorectal cancer (CRC) screening promotion activities targeting at-risk populations. The overall goal of the program is to increase colorectal cancer screening rates statewide.
In Maryland, CRC incidence rates have been declining, along with mortality rates, since 2007/2008.
Source: Maryland Cancer Registry
NCHS Compressed Mortality File in CDC WONDER, 2007
Maryland Vital Statistics Administration, 2008-2011
However, approximately 2,360 new cases of CRC will still be diagnosed and 860 Maryland men and women will die in 2015 due to CRC (Source: ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 2015). Due to the preventive nature of CRC cancer screening, increased screening rates will help Maryland decrease incidence and mortality rates even further.
In order to achieve its goal of increasing colorectal cancer screening rates, the Maryland Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) establishes and integrates evidence-based colorectal cancer screening promotion programs to further increase high quality population-based CRC screening among persons 50-75 years of age.
Colorectal Cancer Disparities
Disparities in colorectal cancer screening, incidence, and mortality are a vital component of the discussion to control CRC. In 2012, the CRCCP published a report, Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Maryland: 2002-2010, focusing on colorectal cancer disparities in Maryland. The report represents the implementation of an objective in the Colorectal Cancer chapter of the Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Contrrol Plan, 'By 2015, produce an epidemiology report of colorectal cancer data highlighting colorectal cancer disparities.' This collaborative publication allows for increased awareness of the need for CRC screening and new opportunities for statewide partnerships. The report has been disseminated to partners across the state so that residents may further understand the disparities associated with colorectal cancer and use the report to support CRC control efforts.
Screening Promotion
The Maryland CRCCP partners with and funds various health care systems, community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Local Health Departments to implement colorectal cancer screening promotion activities such as client reminder systems, provider assessment and feedback, provider reminders, small media projects, and other evidence-based interventions to reduce clinical and community structural barriers to screening. Screening promotion projects engage health clinics and Local Health Department to improve processes around colorectal cancer screening, consequently increasing screening rates among the clients within their jurisdiction.
To learn about programs that provide colorectal cancer screening and patient navigation services to eligible individuals, please visit the CRF Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program.
Additional Resources
- CRF Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program: Administers grants to local health departments and academic centers to reduce cancer mortality and cancer disparities in Maryland; including colorectal cancer screening provision services in some jurisdictions.
- Maryland Cancer Fund: Offers cancer treatment grants for low-income Marylanders through local health departments and primary/secondary prevention grants to entities that provide cancer screenings and cancer prevention activities in Maryland.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basic colorectal cancer information, national statistics, action guides and related resources.
- Screen for Life Campaign: Screening promotion and health education materials developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact
For more information on the Maryland CDC funded CRCCP please call 1-800-477-9774.
