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Colorectal Cancer Screening Challenges in West Virginia
Roberto Noriega, M.S.
The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable Initiative, comprised of numerous organizations, is
committed to eliminating colorectal cancer as a major public health threat by working together
to achieve “80% by 2018” – that’s 80% of adults age 50 and older screened for colorectal cancer
by the year 2018.
Michelle Chappell, M.S., the American Cancer Society’s Health Systems Manager for West
Virginia, says the state is one of many that rallied to sign the 80% by 2018 pledge. “The pledge
has been endorsed by a total of 34 state partners, including 10 medical facilities and Governor
Tomblin,” Chappell shares. “With that strong endorsement, coupled with the state’s decision to
expand Medicaid, West Virginia is well-positioned to successfully develop and implement a plan
to move toward the 80% goal.” A move that is needed since the West Virginia Cancer Registry
lists colon and rectal cancer as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among state residents.
In order to decrease colorectal cancer cases and increase colorectal cancer screening rates, cancer
prevention and control partners throughout the state are beginning the process of revising the
West Virginia Cancer Plan. “If the state is selected as a recipient of the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) technical assistance award, the West Virginia team would utilize that assistance
to not only develop a systems change action plan to address colorectal cancer screening, but also
to create a potential template for developing all sections addressing cancer screening in the
upcoming plan,” said Chappell.
In West Virginia, the average yearly incidence rate for invasive colorectal cancer for the years
2007-2011 was 49.2 versus the median for U.S. of 43.3. The screening rates remain low, only
63.5% of people 50 and over had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy versus the U.S. median of
66.8%
The state of West Virginia also faces many other challenges:
• A large proportion of adults 50 and older did not have a fecal occult blood test during the
past year (87.1%), ranking West Virginia as the sixth lowest in the nation.
• Among adults age 50 and older, 40% have not had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in
the past 10 years.

WV Medical Journal article FINAL-1

• West Virginia residents are less likely to participate in leisure time physical activity --
67% versus the U.S. median of 76%.
• More than one fourth of adults (28.2%) currently smoke cigarettes every day, making
West Virginia the second highest in the country; the prevalence of cigarette smoking was
significantly higher among multiracial, non-Hispanics than among white, non-Hispanics.
The state also has the lowest quit rates in the country and the highest consumption of
smokeless tobacco use.
• Under the affordable care act, screening colonoscopies are covered for adults beginning
at age 50 and until age 75. However, if a pre-cancerous polyp is found during the
procedure, the test is reclassified from a “screening” to a therapeutic procedure,
burdening the patient with a significant and unexpected high co-payment.
A lack of dedicated staff and funding are also challenges the state faces when trying to fully
implement a comprehensive cancer strategy. The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
Initiative anticipates some challenges to the colorectal screening system change stemming from:
1. A lack of provider office personnel and office funding
2. Competitive priorities within the cancer and chronic disease fields including other cancer
screening recommendations, clinical trials information, pre-diabetes and hypertension
screenings, and more
3. Lack of individual physician interest and buy-in
4. The lack of a state-wide, funded screening program and/or other related screening
resources in West Virginia
The state’s rugged topography and the long distances to travel in order to get medical care,
paired with a decreased number of specialists makes it difficult for a majority of residents to get
proper medical care. Mingo County, like many other remote counties, faces this problem --
limited access to specialized care. Combine that with the fact that many physicians don’t accept
either Medicaid or Medicare makes the problem worse.
In his article Map to Prosperity: WV’s Dilemma – Are we Rural or Urban? published in the State
Journal, Senator Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, reports that almost three quarters of the state’s
population lives outside a city, town, or village. “West Virginia is a rural state. Many people
chose to live in unincorporated areas for lifestyle reasons or to avoid taxes and service fees,”
writes McCabe.
Despite all these challenges, there are many partners uniting to help the state achieve 80% by
2018. One partner is the West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Program (CCP), a five-year
cooperative agreement between the state’s Department of Health and the CDC. The program 
ensures that all government and non- government organizations, including non-profit

organizations, work jointly to fight cancer in all communities. Its scope extends from early
detection to treatment, rehabilitation, and end of life care; and ensures that all local, state, and
national resources are maximized. It also facilitates coordination efforts between cancer control
organizations and works to increase access to cancer information and resources. 
Another partner is the Mountains of Hope (MOH) Cancer Coalition, a joint coalition founded by
the American Cancer Society, the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program,
and the West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Program, is comprised of more than 200 health
care professionals, volunteers, and community advocates whose task is to implement the goals
and objectives of the state’s comprehensive cancer plan.
Helping to promote the mission of the Mountains of Hope Coalition are Agents of Hope, a
dedicated group of community volunteers who promote cancer awareness in the local rural, and
sometimes isolated, communities. The Coalition and Grammy Award-winning country music
artist Kathy Mattea, who lost her father to colorectal cancer, are working together to promote
colorectal cancer screening in West Virginia through a public service announcement that is being
aired throughout the state on both radio and television.
About the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
The Roundtable, established by the American Cancer Society (CDC) and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997, is a national coalition of: public, private, voluntary
organizations and invited individuals dedicated to reducing the incidence of and mortality from
colorectal cancer in the U.S., through coordinated leadership, strategic planning and advocacy.
The ultimate goal of the Roundtable is to increase the use of proven colorectal cancer screening
tests among the entire population for whom screening is appropriate.
The Roundtable acts as a catalyst to stimulate work on key issues around colorectal cancer. The
work of the Roundtable is guided by its strategic plan with direction and input from an active
Steering Committee. Both the ACS and the CDC are permanent members of the Roundtable
Steering Committee, which oversees all Committees and Task Groups. Through the efforts of
several Task Groups, the Roundtable advances initiatives that focus on provider education,
public education, health policy, quality, and disparities issues.
A fundamental premise of the Roundtable is that collective action among the Member
organizations will be more successful in reducing the burden of disease, and reducing that
burden faster, than if we worked alone. A core principle of the Roundtable is that it will not
duplicate or take on roles of Member organizations, but rather fulfill those roles that would
otherwise go undone.
Together members work hard to share information, identify needs and opportunities, and address
gaps in research, programs, activities, and services relating to colorectal cancer. The strength of

such a partnership, united in mission, enhances the work of each member and thus effectively
furthers the cause of colorectal cancer prevention in the United States.
For more information about the NCCRT visit:
http://nccrt.org/contact-us
To sign the pledge: Reaching 80% Screened for Colorectal Cancer by 2018, visit:
http://nccrt.org/wp-content/uploads/80by2018Commitmment.pdf
References
1. American Cancer Society. Topic Page. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/. January 2015.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Topic Page. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/. January 2015.
3. United States Preventive Services Task Force. Topic Page. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspscolo.htm. January 2015.
4. West Virginia Cancer Registry, 2007-2011.
5. West Virginia Health Statistics Center, Vital Statistics System, 2011.
6. NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures). Topic Page. http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/mandated-health-insurance-benefits-and-state-
laws.aspx. January 2015.
7. WV Code, §33-24-7f .

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