# Initiating Colorectal Cancer Screening in Unscreened Individuals 45 to 54

> **NIH NIH K08** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $197,640

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in Black men and women,
with mortality rates that are 44% and 31% higher in Black men and women compared to White
men and women respectively. Approximately 40% of the difference in incidence and 20% of the
difference in mortality are due to disparities in screening. Community health centers (CHCs) in
urban areas serve a large share of racial and ethnic minorities and have lower screening rates
(41.9%) compared to the general population (69.7%). Low screening rates, and rising incidence
and mortality from CRC in adults at younger ages also suggests that focusing on increasing
screening uptake from 45 to 54 is a critical target. This career development award leverages an
existing partnership with Codman Square Health Center, a predominantly Black CHC in inner-
city Boston, to develop implementation strategies with a focus on equity to initiate CRC
screening in previously unscreened individuals age 45 to 54 at CSHC. Dr. Adjoa Anyane-
Yeboa’s long-term career goal is to use equity-driven implementation science methods to
reduce CRC inequities among historically marginalized populations. The proposed project
blends rigorous methodologic training with an innovative research agenda to facilitate Dr.
Anyane-Yeboa’s development into an independent investigator through three training goals: (1)
enhance quantitative and qualitative research skills, (2) design and conduct mixed methods
research to inform implementation of evidence-based interventions, and (3) learn equity-driven
implementation science methods. This proposal has three scientific aims: (1) identify system-
level determinants of CRC screening in individuals 45 to 54 using mixed methods; (2) identify
equity-driven implementation strategies to initiate CRC screening matched to systems-level
determinants; and (3) determine the acceptability and feasibility of implementation strategies for
CRC screening by conducting a pilot trial and using mixed methods. In addition to advanced
training through formal coursework, this award is supported by an extraordinary mentorship
team, including internationally-recognized experts in CRC prevention, implementation science,
health equity, community-engaged research, and mixed methods. Upon completion of the
proposed research and training, Dr. Anyane-Yeboa will expand her findings in an R01 to
rigorously test her findings in a trial across CHCs in Massachusetts. The combination of formal
training and mentored research outlined in this application is designed to ensure that Dr.
Anyane-Yeboa will emerge from this award as a nationally recognized independent investigator
with the skills and experience to reduce CRC inequities in marginalized patient populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10985080
- **Project number:** 1K08CA285952-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $197,640
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-13 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10985080

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10985080, Initiating Colorectal Cancer Screening in Unscreened Individuals 45 to 54 (1K08CA285952-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10985080. Licensed CC0.

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