About the Program
CDC's Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) provides funding to 25 states and 4 tribes across the United States for five years. The CRCCP's goal is to increase colorectal (colon) cancer screening rates among men and women aged 50 years and older from about 64%1 to 80% in the funded states by 2014. An increase in screening rates will reduce illness and death caused by colorectal cancer.
The program has two components: screening promotion and screening provision.
Screening Promotion
Local CRCCP programs use evidence-based strategies recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services to increase colorectal cancer screening, adapting them to their unique needs and situations. Local CRCCP programs collaborate with local comprehensive cancer control programs and other partners to share resources for efficiency.
Screening Provision
Local CRCCP programs provide colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care to low-income men and women aged 50–64 years who are underinsured or uninsured for screening, when no other payment option is available. When possible, screening services are integrated with other publicly funded health programs or clinics that serve underserved populations, such as CDC's National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program,National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program, CDC's WISEWOMAN Program, and the Health Resources and Services Administration's Health Centers.
States and Tribes in CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program
States include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington. Tribal organizations include the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Arctic Slope Native Association, the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, and Southcentral Foundation.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Colorectal cancerColorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2008, 52,857 people in the United States died of colorectal cancer (26,933 men and 25,924 women).2*
Colorectal cancer screeningColorectal cancer screening can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum) so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancer is found early and treated are still alive five years later. If everyone aged 50 or older had regular screening testsscreening tests and all precancerous polyps were removed, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.
*Incidence and death counts cover approximately 100% of the U.S. population.
1Joseph DA, Rim SH, Seeff LC. Use of colorectal cancer tests—United States, 2002, 2004, and 2006. MMWR 2008;57(10);253–258.
2U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2008 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2012. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs. (full site)
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
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