Colorectal Cancer Early Detection

Summary#

This bill lets the HHS Secretary, through the CDC, award competitive grants to States (including DC and territories) to increase awareness, education, and early detection of colorectal cancer in "young individuals" (people under 45). The bill lists findings that colorectal cancer rates are rising in younger people and that many cases occur in those under 45.

Grants may fund outreach and education about risk factors and symptoms; targeted outreach to people at increased or high risk (for example, those with family history, inflammatory bowel disease, or inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis); work in underserved and rural areas; partnerships with hospitals, clinics, Tribal organizations, nonprofits, and universities; early detection and diagnostic testing for young people at increased risk; referrals for medical care including genetic testing and counseling; public awareness campaigns; education for health professionals; quality monitoring of screening and diagnostic procedures; surveillance to find other risk factors; capturing family history and genetic risks; patient navigation support; clinician decision support tools; and program monitoring and evaluation.

Grants are for 5 years and may be renewed. States must return any unspent grant funds within 6 months after the grant period ends, and must report to the Secretary within 5 years after receiving a grant.

What it means for you#

• If you are under 45, your State could run new outreach and education about colorectal cancer and may be able to offer early detection or diagnostic testing if you are judged to be at increased risk. The bill focuses on symptoms like rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia and on groups with higher risk.
• If you live in an underserved or rural area, or are American Indian, Alaska Native, or African American, the bill directs outreach to these groups as part of grant plans.
• If you work for a State health agency, your State can apply for a competitive 5-year CDC grant and must submit a detailed plan describing how it will use the funds and how it will reach priority groups.
• If you are a health provider, your State might use funds to provide education, decision support tools, and quality monitoring related to screening and diagnosis for younger patients.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on how much money is authorized or appropriated. The bill text does not specify dollar amounts or an authorization of appropriations. It does specify that grants run for 5 years, may be renewed, and that States must return unspent funds within 6 months after the grant period ends.

Proponents' View#

The bill cites findings that colorectal cancer cases and deaths are significant and that rates are rising among younger people. Proponents, as reflected in the bill text, support targeted education, early detection, and outreach to high-risk and underserved groups as steps to identify colorectal cancer earlier in young individuals.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' views or objections is included in the bill text or provided metadata.