Preventing Cancer Together

Working in collaboration with the UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Institute (MCI), the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation is attempting to reduce colorectal cancer and mortality in North Texas. The MCI received an award from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to implement an aggressive screening program. The Colorectal Screening and Patient Navigation (C-SPAN) Coalition is an evidence-based cancer prevention program targeting residents within a 21-county area. Individuals will be screened and either referred to their provider for follow-up or offered information to connect them with appropriate resources.

As the third-leading cause of cancer death in Texas, colorectal cancer costs Texas $3.7 billion dollars annually. Unfortunately, colorectal screening participation is poor, particularly for uninsured patients aged 50-64 years, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, screening programs like the C-SPAN have a positive impact in reducing colorectal cancer mortality.

The DFWHC Foundation will leverage collaborative relationships with North Texas hospitals that participate with its data initiative to assist the MCI in the identifying those at risk. The goal is to reach 175,000 men and women in need of colorectal cancer screening. The program is scheduled to continue through 2018.