Research highlights strategies for addressing colorectal cancer screening disparities and outlines community‑led approaches for engaging racially diverse communities
RENTON, Wash. [May 6, 2026] — A new Providence-led study published in Cancer Medicine identifies barriers to colorectal cancer screening among racially diverse communities and is helping to shape outreach efforts to improve screening rates.
Among the study’s findings, one stood out: people were more likely to complete screenings when they had a strong relationship with a healthcare provider.
“Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer and also one of the most preventable, yet screening remains uneven, especially in racially diverse communities,” said Dr. Anton Bilchik, M.D., Ph.D., executive medical director of Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute and co-author of the study. "We set out to understand what keeps people from getting screened for colorectal cancer and what we learned was that relationships with healthcare providers are a critical determinant of whether or not someone will complete a colorectal cancer screening.”
The study also found that people who were aware of CRC’s treatability when detected early and the availability of at-home screening options were more likely to have undergone screening.
Commonly cited barriers included healthcare provider availability, insurance coverage, cost, the absence of symptoms, not having a reason for being screened, the lack of a physician’s order for screening and negative prior experiences with the healthcare system.
Insights from the study informed the development of six key outreach messages and two strategies, emphasizing the importance of colorectal cancer screening, test options and cost considerations. Recommended strategies included enhancing direct, proactive communication from providers to patients to encourage screening participation and organizing community education events.
Researchers worked with Community Health Action Teams (CHATs), composed of community members, to shape every phase of the study, including instrument design, interpretation and strategy development. CHATs helped build trust with community members and ensured strategies and messages were culturally grounded, linguistically inclusive and responsive to community needs.
“By engaging community members as partners throughout the research process, this study demonstrates how community‑based participatory design can produce effective public health strategies,” said Staci Wendt, Ph.D., research director at Providence’s Health Research Accelerator and co-author of the study.
The mixed methods study surveyed 1,798 adults eligible for colorectal cancer screening and conducted focus groups with 65 people across the same communities. Providence’s Health Research Accelerator partnered with Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute on the study, funded by a grant from Stand Up To Cancer.
“This study offers a practical roadmap for health systems and community organizations seeking to reduce screening disparities and improve early detection of colorectal cancer, particularly in communities historically underserved by the healthcare system,” said Wendt.
Future studies will present the impact of the messaging and outreach strategies and discuss the development of the CHATs and lessons learned.
