Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Rural Community During a Global Pandemic

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of death in North Carolina and the United States. Colorectal cancer is detectable and preventable through screening, including visualization tests or stool-based testing. One county in Eastern North Carolina, colorectal cancer has been identified as a leading cause of cancer death and the county has a high mortality rate from colorectal cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of screenings performed at the local cancer center had declined, as they did nationwide. This project was implemented to improve colorectal cancer education and screenings in this county during the pandemic by utilizing virtual appointments and mailout stool-based screening kits, as well as the development of an educational video that was posted on the site’s social media page. The project was implemented over 12 weeks from September to December 2020 and resulted in one screening appointment and 184 full views of the educational video.