# Optimizing Colorectal Cancer Screening among Patients with Diabetes in Safety-Net Primary Care Settings: Targeting Implementation Approaches

> **NIH NIH K99** · RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2021 · $156,601

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Patients with diabetes mellitus have an estimated 27% elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and
are disproportionately Non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) and Hispanic. At the point that CRC is diagnosed in patients
with diabetes opportunities to implement CRC screening tests demonstrated to be effective in preventing CRC
and reducing cancer mortality have been missed. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) struggle to
implement CRC programs for average risk patients and primarily serve as primary care for priority populations
(low income and racial/ethnic minorities). Thus, targeted implementation strategies are needed that emphasize
CRC screening tests that prevent CRC for patients at elevated risk in safety-net settings. Herein, the main goal
of the proposal is to identify and overcome multi-level factors affecting optimal use of CRC preventive screening
options for patients with diabetes in FQHCs. The applicant set out to examine racial/ethnic differences of specific
CRC screening test use among patients with diabetes comparing individuals who receive majority of their care
in FQHCs vs patients receiving care in traditional primary care settings (Aim 1). To optimize and adapt
implementation strategies, an implementation planning group will be assembled. Using a community-based
participatory research method, data inputs from multiple sources (Aim 1 findings, scoping review) will inform a
local multi-method organizational implementation assessment (e.g. survey and key implementation actor
interviews). These findings will guide implementation toolkit and strategy development (Aim 2). In the R00 phase,
the implementation toolkit and strategy to optimize CRC preventive test use targeting patients with diabetes in
FQHCs will be evaluated using a hybrid effectiveness-implementation feasibility pilot (Aim 3). The candidate has
assembled an exceptional mentoring team, in an outstanding training environment to help her achieve her
training goals and career transition. Her mentors include: Dr. Anita Kinney (health disparities, cancer prevention),
Dr. Shawna Hudson (implementation science, practice-based research), Dr. Benjamin Crabtree (mixed methods,
organizational assessment), and Dr. Jeanne Ferrante (practice-based research network recruitment, primary
care). The training period will allow the candidate to gain applied learning and formal training in cancer
prevention, implementation science and practice-based research. In the future, the proposed model can be
utilized to investigate the development of targeted cancer prevention strategies in additional chronically ill priority
populations. The research program aligns with the candidate’s long-term goal of developing an independent
research program focused on implementing targeted cancer prevention strategies for underserved patients with
comorbidities in safety-net settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10105511
- **Project number:** 1K99CA256043-01
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** DENALEE M. O'MALLEY
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $156,601
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10105511

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10105511, Optimizing Colorectal Cancer Screening among Patients with Diabetes in Safety-Net Primary Care Settings: Targeting Implementation Approaches (1K99CA256043-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10105511. Licensed CC0.

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