Inspira’s leader of clinical research authored case study for newly released national report
Inspira Health is featured in a national colorectal cancer care report issued by Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), with a case study authored by Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., assistant vice president of Clinical Research and Nursing Excellence at Inspira. The report acknowledges Inspira’s innovative and tailored efforts in colorectal cancer outreach to rural communities.
The report was created in response to the persistently high nationwide burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) and is part of Fight CRC’s Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative, a powerful collaboration aimed at mobilizing collective expertise and resources to tackle challenges in CRC screening, diagnosis and treatment. This initiative includes a diverse coalition of survivors, caregivers, health care providers, researchers and industry leaders, all united to drive meaningful progress against the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Colorectal cancers kill more than 50,000 Americans each year.
“On behalf of Inspira Health, it’s an honor to be featured in Fight CRC’s national report on colorectal cancer,” Abate said. “Thank you to Fight Colorectal Cancer for the opportunity to join such an important cause. We are looking forward to transforming the health and wellness of our communities by achieving the goals outlined in the report and collaborating to promote equitable access to care.”
Inspira has implemented transportation solutions for patients, created convenient drop-off programs for non-invasive screening tests, enhanced its community outreach, and addressed the sometimes-inconsistent performance of commercial pick-up and delivery services in rural areas. Additionally, Inspira administers the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program for its service area, making free cancer screenings available to uninsured and underinsured members of the community.
The free screenings and Inspira’s robust outreach efforts benefit hundreds of residents of rural communities each year. Since 2012, Shelly Evans of Cumberland County has received her mammograms through NJCEED. In 2022 when NJCEED Outreach Coordinator Judy Santos called Evans to schedule her annual mammogram, she also asked if she would like to receive a non-invasive kit to screen for colorectal cancer.
“Judy asked if I wanted to get a colon cancer test. And I said yes,” Evans said. “I wanted to be proactive and know what was coming my way. The NJCEED process has been wonderful.”
The non-invasive colorectal screening test is delivered to a participant’s home and can be sent back at no cost. And if circumstances require it, the test kit can be delivered to or picked up from the patient’s home by Santos, the outreach coordinator.
Inspira’s involvement in the national discussion about the burden of colorectal cancer on rural communities began in March 2023 when Abate attended the White House Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum. At this gathering of experts from around the country, discussions centered on opportunities for colorectal cancer awareness, screening, access and treatments. In early January, Inspira Health formally joined Fight CRC’s Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative.
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report introduces ambitious goals for increasing rates for screenings, timely follow up, and treatment. These bold targets are designed to help stakeholders assess progress and guide strategies that will significantly improve prevention, early detection, diagnosis and care nationwide. Supporting these goals means committing to tangible action that will transform outcomes for millions.
Key Goals to Support and Achieve:
Goal 1: Timely Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Achieve an 80% screening rate for average-risk patients.
- Ensure that 80% of patients with a positive non-invasive screening test receive a follow-up colonoscopy within 90 days.
Goal 2: Accurate, Informative Diagnosis and Timely Treatment Initiation
- Ensure 80% of CRC patients start treatment within six weeks of diagnosis.
- Ensure 80% of patients diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 CRC receive biomarker testing.
- Ensure 80% of CRC patients undergo genetic testing (germline at diagnosis, somatic at advanced stages).
“At Fight CRC, we know that using real-world data and setting bold, actionable goals can change the game in colorectal cancer care and save lives,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight CRC. “This report emphasizes the importance of providing timely screening, diagnosis and treatment. These are critical steps that we must take to reduce the burden of CRC and create meaningful change for patients and their families.”
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report urges all partners to take action, leverage data, and collaborate effectively to improve patient care and outcomes.
Moving forward, Inspira Health will actively support the achievement of these goals, fostering collaboration across the health care community to accelerate progress and promote equitable access to care.
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report was developed through unrestricted funding and in-kind contributions, reviewed by a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure its evidence-based, patient-centered recommendations reflect the best available data.
Learn more about supporting these goals and joining the initiative by visiting FightCRC.org/CRCCI.