Comparison of Successful Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies in Wisconsin Rural and Urban Settings: Achieving “80% In Every Community”

At a Glance

Colorectal cancer screening is important for early detection, but disparities in screening rates exist between Wisconsin clinics. Urban clinics tend to have higher screening rates than their rural counterparts, though some rural clinics are notably high performing.

This research will engage partners at high-performing clinics to determine what strategies work best for improving colorectal cancer screening rates and leverage those strategies to improve screening rates at low-performing clinics in both rural and urban communities.

The Challenge

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Wisconsin. It is also the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer. Screening is important for early detection, but disparities in screening rates exist between Wisconsin clinics. Urban clinics tend to have higher screening rates than their rural counterparts, though some rural clinics are notably high performing.

Project Goals

The long-term goal of the research is to decrease statewide colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.