New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

(NHCRCSP)and

“DRESS IN BLUE DAY”

State of New Hampshire - Wellness Coordinators

1-13-11Susan Kuhn, MS, Primary Care Consultant, Dartmouth-

HitchcockEvie Taft, Volunteer and Key Contact, Dress In Blue Day

• 2009 – NH received CRC grant from CDC• Increase high-quality CRC screening

among persons 50 years and older to 80% statewide by 2014

• Reduce disparities in CRC burden, screening and access to care, through the provision of free colonoscopies to uninsured low income NH residents

NHCRCSP Goals

• Reduce disparities in CRC by providing a limited number of screening or surveillance colonoscopies to eligible NH residents at contracted sites

• Secondary goal is to provide clients with an ongoing medical home

NHCRCSP Free Colonoscopy

Colorectal Cancer Facts• Second most common cause of death

from cancer in the U.S.

• Only lung cancer is more common in men and women combined

• Almost all CRC begins as a polyp

Goals of Colorectal Cancer Screening It’s all about Prevention!

• Talk to your health care provider about your risk - ask which screening tests and when to begin

• Get screened regularly for colon cancer at age 50 or older

• See your physician promptly if screening shows a problem

• Get to and stay at a healthy weight

• Be physically active

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

• Don’t Smoke

Goals of Colorectal Cancer Screening:

Early Detection

• If colorectal cancer is found at an early stage, individuals can have more than a 90% five year survival

• If colorectal cancer is found late, there may be less than 10% five year survival

Which CRC screening test ?

Adults Age 50 to 75, Average Risk

Screen with fecal occult blood testing

(FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy

Grade: A !

Recommendations for Screening Patients at Increased Risk

• Begin screening at age 40 or 10 years younger than age of relative at diagnosis, whichever comes first

(unless hereditary syndrome in family)• Test of choice is colonoscopy unless there

are medical contraindications• Hereditary syndromes managed by

specialist

Barriers to Screening• Patient lack of knowledge/awareness• No clear provider recommendation• Prep issues• Financial• Time off from work• Transportation issues

“Dress In Blue Day”

• March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

• March 4, 2011 is National “Dress In Blue Day”

• Goal is to raise awareness, promote screening

Dress In Blue Partners• Employers, Healthcare Providers,

Municipalities, State, the media, and more…

Strategic Alliances with: • DHHS - Division of Public Health Services• NH Breast and Cervical Screening Program • NH Comprehensive Cancer Plan• NHPR for CRC Awareness Event

State of New HampshireDress in Blue Day (DIBD)-What you can

do…• Endorsement Letter from “Champion” Commissioner• Letter from Commissioners to Department Heads• “DIB” message on payroll stubs (DAS)• Announcement in Newsletter (DAS)• Set up Displays• Hand Out “Ask Me Why…” Buttons• Wear Blue!• Attend “CRC Awareness Event at NHPR,” Concord

State of New Hampshire Dress in Blue Day - What we can do…

• Provide Sample Letter for Champion Commissioner

• Provide Flyers (in your folders)• Provide Link to Resources – Wellness Web Site• Provide “Dress in Blue Day” Buttons/Stickers• Provide Tip Sheets (in your folders)• Communicate with Key Designees

Together We Can…Raise

Awareness

Increase Screenin

gs

Prevent CRC

SaveLives

Meet NH 2014 Screening Goal of 80%!

Thank You!