UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Partners with Arcare to Boost Colorectal Cancer Screenings in State
| LITTLE ROCK — A new partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and Arcare aims to dramatically improve colorectal cancer screening rates in seven rural Arkansas counties where late-stage diagnoses and cancer disparities are on the rise.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early, yet Arkansas exceeds the national average in both new cases and late-stage diagnoses — especially among Black adults and those living in rural communities.
Through this partnership, UAMS and Arcare will work together to increase awareness, improve access and expand early detection of colorectal cancer for residents ages 45 to 75 in areas with historically low screening rates.
The initiative sets a bold goal: to screen at least 80% of eligible patients within the first 12 months at 11 Arcare clinic locations across Monroe, Lonoke, Cross, Prairie, Woodruff, Miller and Baxter counties.
“Early detection is critical. This partnership allows us to reach underserved Arkansans and ensure they receive life-saving screenings and follow-up care,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
“Our patients often face real barriers to preventive care, whether it’s transportation, time off work or simply knowing when and how to get screened,” said Steven Collier, M.D., medical director and founder of Arcare. “This partnership allows us to close those gaps and bring lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings directly to the Arkansans communities that need them most.”
Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in Arkansas, but it’s also one of the most preventable. Arkansas ranks 17th nationally for new colorectal cancer cases per capita, with 1,417 new cases reported in 2021. Black Arkansans experience a 28% higher incidence rate than white Arkansans.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends regular screenings begin at age 45, following a nationwide rise in cases among younger adults. Since 2011, colorectal cancer incidence has increased by 2% annually among people under 50.
The effort will be led by the Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach and Engagement Team, a statewide group of nurse navigators and community health workers who work directly with patients to overcome barriers to care. This team plays a critical role in connecting individuals and families to health care providers, wellness and financial resources and health education.
Together, the Cancer Institute and Arcare will focus on delivering colorectal cancer screening, education and care coordination in the following service areas:
- Monroe County — Brinkley
- Lonoke County — Lonoke, Cabot, Carlisle
- Cross County — Wynne, Parkin, Cherry Valley
- Prairie County — Des Arc, Hazen
- Woodruff County — Augusta, McCrory
- Miller County — Texarkana
- Baxter County — Mountain Home
UAMS and Arcare will collaborate to:
- Promote screening and education through community outreach and in-clinic learning opportunities, both in person and virtual.
- Streamline workflows to document screenings in electronic medical records and improve referrals for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Coordinate patient navigation services across both organizations to address barriers such as transportation, insurance and health literacy.
- Evaluate impact and share data to measure outcomes, identify gaps and inform future research and improvement efforts.
The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is Arkansas’ only academic cancer research center and home to the state’s largest cancer clinical trials program. With nearly 100 scientists researching high incidence cancers in Arkansas and a statewide patient outreach and engagement program, UAMS also offers the most advanced cancer treatments including the state’s only bone marrow transplant program, proton therapy center and the internationally recognized Myeloma Center.
About Arcare
Founded in 1986, Arcare is a medical network striving to fulfill its “Health for All” mission by specializing in primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease care, pharmaceutical care and insurance. As a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC), Arcare is able to care for every patient regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.
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