Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance (EOHLA) received $50,000 from the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in Eastern Oregon by promoting and increasing screening participation of Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits, which are recommended annually for adults aged 50-75.
The project will be provided in three frontier counties within Eastern Oregon, including Morrow, Sherman, and Gilliam counties. Participating clinics and health organizations
include the Columbia River Health Services, Morrow County Health District, Sherman County Medical Clinic, and the North Gilliam County Health District. Additionally, EOHLA will partner with Community Advisory Councils in each county to coordinate and support activities to outreach to the target population.
The project aims to decrease risks related to colorectal cancer related illness and death in Eastern Oregon through early detection by providing colon cancer screening health education, outreach, and promotion to improve screening rates in participating counties. Outreach efforts will include small and mass media, group education, and clinic sponsored direct mail.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, colorectal cancer is preventable. Routine screening can reduce deaths through the early diagnosis and removal of precancerous polyps. Screening saves lives, but only if people get tested. One in three (36 percent) Oregonians ages 50-75 are not being screened as recommended. Colorectal cancer screening rates in eastern Oregon are lower than Oregon’s statewide rate. In 2016, the eastern Oregon
screening rate average was 7 percent below the region wide benchmarks of 39 percent. Additionally, the lack of screenings results in higher rates of mortality for the eastern Oregon population compared to Oregon statewide.
“EOHLA is committed to delivering strategies that improve community health throughout the entire region,” said Andrea Fletcher, EOHLA co-founder and board member representing Morrow County. “With the shifting emphasis in the healthcare system toward prevention practices to help keep people healthy, screenings, such as colon cancer screenings, can prevent many serious illnesses before they occur.”
The project is funded through the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Community Partnership Program. This program is designed to build sustainable collaborations with Oregon communities by providing grants and other resources to foster development of community-identified cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship projects. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute has made a decade-long commitment to invest in this program to develop robust, sustainable programs that benefit the health of all Oregonians.
