AAPA and PA Foundation Target Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is spearheading a critical project to enhance colorectal cancer screening rates, targeting vulnerable populations with limited healthcare access. Through a grant from Exact Sciences, the organization is developing innovative strategies to overcome screening barriers and improve early detection among ethnic communities.

Focusing on Federally Qualified Health Centers, AAPA has conducted focus groups to understand challenges in colorectal cancer screening. The research revealed significant disparities, particularly among Hispanic and Latino patients, where cancer cases are rising rapidly among younger populations who typically fall outside standard screening guidelines.

Current statistics are alarming: more than 152,000 new colorectal cancer cases are expected this year, with survival rates dramatically varying based on early detection. When caught early, the 5-year survival rate is 91%, but this plummets to just 14% in later stages.

The project aims to create educational learning modules that will modify clinical workflows, enabling healthcare providers to more effectively screen and educate patients. Physician associates, often the first point of contact for patients, are uniquely positioned to drive these crucial preventative conversations.

By addressing systemic barriers and raising awareness, AAPA hopes to substantially improve screening rates and ultimately save lives across diverse patient populations.