Overview

It is crucial for people who have an abnormal or positive stool-based CRC screening test to get a timely follow-up colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the follow-up colonoscopy rate for rate for uninsured and underinsured people in the US is just 50-70%. This can be attributed to a mix of clinical and non-clinical barriers, including a lack of awareness among patients and health care professionals, local conditions and legislative and regulatory policies .

The goal of the ASGE CRC Screening Project is to increase the follow-up colonoscopy rate for underserved people across the US. 

ASGE is collaborating on this effort with an array of key stakeholders, including:

  • FQHCs and medical practices
  • physicians and allied health care professionals
  • patient navigators
  • legislators and regulators
  • state and local advocacy organizations
  • community leaders

The ASGE CRC Screening Project is mainly funded by an unrestricted grant from Exact Sciences, with additional support from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Sebela Pharmaceuticals’ Braintree Laboratories affiliate.

Objectives

Develop a financially sustainable model to ensure that uninsured/underinsured patients who have a positive a stool-based CRC screening test get a timely follow-up colonoscopy

Develop a roadmap to help patients navigate the CRC care process from beginning to end – including screening, follow-up and treatment (if applicable)

Fund developmental programs in Georgia and Maryland that have education, navigation and outreach components (i.e., primary sites/FQHCs)

Educate lawmakers on the need for for sustainable sources of funding for CRC screening and timely follow-up colonoscopies

Three Year Timeline

2023
2024
2025
Phase I (2023)
  • Hosted summits for state legislators and other key stakeholders in Georgia and Maryland in June and July
  • Hosted a national summit for leading CRC screening experts at ASGE on August 24
  • Selected primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland
  • Finalized project workflow process
  • Finalized educational resources
Phase II (2024)
  • Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will launch community outreach programs
  • Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will screening 300 uninsured/underinsured patients for colorectal cancer using mt-sDNA Cologuard® tests – with an overall goal of 600 successfully “resulted” tests
  • Costs associated with participants’ follow-up colonoscopies will be covered by ASGE
  • Primary sites/FQHCs in Georgia and Maryland will track data
  • Continue efforts to educate lawmakers and other key stakeholders and build coalitions in Georgia and Maryland
  • Analyze project data
Phase III (2025)
  • Finalize data collection and analysis
  • Develop model public policy language for CRC screening and care
  • Host symposium at DDW to address project’s preliminary results
  • Host CRC screening summits in Georgia and Maryland
  • Host national CRC screening summit at ASGE
  • Publicize outcomes with key stakeholders
  • Develop playbook to increase CRC screening and follow-up colonoscopies across the US

The following 6-minute video provides some great insights into ASGE’s CRC Screening Project in Georgia, designed to increase CRC screening and follow-up colonoscopy rates for underserved patients.

Advisory Council

Chair

Jennifer Christie, MD, MASGE

The University of ColoradoDenver, CO


Members

Tonya Adams, MD

Gastro Health-Virginia DivisionFairfax, VA

Iman Boston, MD, MBA

University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock, AR

Juan Carlos Bucobo, MD, FASGE

Northwell HealthManhasset, NY

Lukejohn Day, MD, FASGE

University of California San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

Jason Dominitz, MD, MHS, FASGE

University of WashingtonSeattle, WA

Pegah Hosseini-Carroll, MD, FASGE

University of Mississippi Medical Center,
Baptist GI
Jackson, MS

Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Brian Jacobson, MD, MPH, FASGE

Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, MA

Inessa Khaykis, MD, FASGE

Vanguard GastroenterologyNew York, NY

Mark Marino, MD

GI Alliance
(Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates)
Metairie, LA

Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil

UCLA HealthLos Angeles, CA

Doug Rex, MD, MASGE

Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN

Colleen Schmitt, MD, MHS, MASGE

Galen Medical GroupChattanooga, TN

Edward Sun, MD, MBA, FASGE

Peconic Bay Medical Center,
Northwell Health
Riverhead, NY

Javelle Wynter, MD


Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY


ASGE Support Staff

Donald J. Palmisano, Jr.,Chief Executive Officer
Lakitia Mayo,Chief Policy and Member Engagement Officer
Siva Koppaka,SQL and iMIS Administrator (Project Database)
Tom Kornegay,Project Administrator

Sponsored By

Exact Sciences
Ironwood
Braintree. A part of Sebela Pharmaceuticals. Registered Trademark.