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Colorectal Cancer Screening Survey Results

January 24, 2025

Ashland County Health Department (ACHD), in collaboration with the Health and Wellness Target Action Group (TAG), conducted a Colorectal Cancer Screening survey during the summer of 2024 to identify local needs and concerns of the Ashland County community regarding colorectal cancer screening.  The assessment results are available HERE.

“Ashland County’s 2023-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) identified colorectal cancer incidence rates as an area of concern,” explained Jenna Gerwig, BSN, RN, the director of Nursing at ACHD. “Colorectal cancer screening is an important tool for early detection, diagnosis and treatment, yet studies show colorectal cancer screening rates are lower in rural areas in the United States. We wondered if low screening rates could be contributing to our high colorectal cancer incidence rates in Ashland County.”

Data from the National Cancer Institute measurement period of 2016-2020 reflects the following deaths/100,000 population for colorectal cancer: 23.3 Ashland County; 14.5 for Ohio; and 13.3 for the United States. The Healthy People Target is 8.9 deaths/100,000.

“As we work to identify why Ashland County has higher colorectal cancer incidence rates, we have applied for grant funding to purchase at-home colorectal cancer screening kits,” Gerwig reported. “We’re also working with local healthcare providers to coordinate the collection and follow-up associated with the distribution of an at-home screening kit.”

ACHD and the Health and Wellness TAG are coordinating a panel discussion for the community to address colorectal cancer incidence rates and emphasize the importance of screenings.

“We realize there’s a stigma surrounding the preparation involved for a colonoscopy, but like most cancer screenings, the procedure can save lives,” Gerwig said. The American Cancer Society recommends individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screening starting at age 45.

Participating partners of the Ashland County Health and Wellness TAG include: Alzheimer’s Association; Appleseed Community mental Health Center; Ashland Christian Health Center; Ashland County Cancer Association; Ashland County Council on Aging; Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Ashland Health & Mental Wellness Center; Ashland MobileMed; The Ashland Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center; Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland; OhioHealth; United Way of Ashland County; Third Street Family Health Services; University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center.

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