ORPRN Co-Leading New National Cancer Screening Study

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We are excited to share that ORPRN is co-leading a new study, Bundled Outreach of Multiple Cancer Screenings for Under-screened Populations (BUNDLE), funded by the National Cancer Institute. BUNDLE is a collaboration between ORPRN, the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University, and the University of North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Primary care clinics can successfully increase cancer screening rates through outreach to their patient populations. Most research focuses on a single cancer rather than all federally recommended cancer screenings. BUNDLE will adapt and test outreach to patients due for multiple cancer screenings, specifically breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancers. The outreach will combine text messages, mailed materials, and navigators working with individuals to encourage screening and provide follow-up support. 

Eventually, the study will work with 18 primary care clinics and reach more than 1600 patients in Oregon and North Carolina. For the first two years, we are working with one clinic in Oregon and one in North Carolina to develop and pilot test the new outreach approach and data collection using electronic health records. The goal is to optimize the program to make it easier for clinics to promote screening.

This work builds on ORPRN’s portfolio of cancer prevention and early detection research, including past projects SMARTER CRC and RAVE, and active projects REACH, and PATHFINDER2. It also complements ORPRN’s already robust technical assistance (TA) collaborations with Oregon Health Authority on colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer, as well as tobacco cessation. For example, last year we wrapped up a 5-year colorectal cancer TA program that led to significant improvements in cancer screening rates in participating clinics (use of fecal tests increased by 18% and colonoscopy by 28%). The TA work continues alongside new research in cancer detection and treatment, enabling ORPRN to both build new knowledge and disseminate evidence-based practices across Oregon.