Colorado Colorectal Screening Program

Description

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program provides funding to carry out colorectal screenings for lawfully present Coloradans. The program was awarded monies through a competitive grants program through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Pulmonary Disease Competitive Grants Program, which utilizes a portion of the state’s tobacco tax revenue.

The University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) at the University of Colorado Denver is the coordinating center, but the program is based in over 65 community health clinics across Colorado.  These community clinics will implement free endoscopic screenings to those who qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age 50 or older (at average risk) or under 50 at increased risk for colorectal cancer (personal or family history of cancer or polyps)
• Uninsured, or have insurance that does not cover ANY cost for endoscopic colorectal screening.
• Household income below 250% of the federal poverty level.
• Legal resident of Colorado.
• Patient in a partnering clinic
• Eligible for a colorectal screening according to American Cancer Society clinical guidelines.

For clinics participating in the program in your area, please call 1-866-227-7914.

Goals and Progress

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program, which began in January of 2006, seeks to screen over 12,500 Coloradans by 2010 for colorectal cancer, contributing substantially to the state’s overall goal of screening 75 percent of the total population.  As of July 2008, the program has screened approximately 4900 patients and detected 46 cancers. The program is accompanied by an awareness campaign to encourage all Coloradans to partake in colorectal screening exams.