Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States. The distribution of both colorectal cancer incidence and mortality varies among racial and ethnic groups, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). African Americans/Blacks (AAs) have the highest incidence of CRC and similarly, CRC mortality rate is highest among both men and women. Incidence and mortality are also high for American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN), followed by Non-Hispanic whites (NHWs), Hispanics, and Asians/Pacific Islanders (APIs). Data indicate that the incidence disparity begins earlier than the typical age for CRC screening of 50 years old. AA/Black tend to be diagnosed with a higher percentage of CRCs at distant stage than NHWs, and overall AA survival rates are lower than NHWs. In addition to healthcare access and services that play a role in disparities in the outcome of diagnosis and treatment, there are limited studies available on the differential contribution of known risk factors such as family history, lifestyle, obesity, environmental exposures, chronic stress or genetic syndrome, among the different racial/ethnic groups.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will award one Health Disparities Research Grant in Summer 2020.
Grant proposals will be considered in the following categories:
- Basic
- Translational
- Epidemiological
Focus could be but is not limited to one or all of the following areas:
- The risk factors and causes associated with the rise in young-onset colorectal cancer including but not limited to changes in the microbiome and its impact on young-onset colorectal cancer.
- Cellular, genomic, and epigenomic mechanisms in young-onset colorectal cancer for improving early detection and improving treatments.
- Better mechanisms for increasing the long-term survival rates of those with young-onset colorectal cancer.
- The psychosocial impacts of young-onset colorectal cancer and the overall social influence on daily survivorship.
Examples of such projects include, but are not limited to:
- Research that leads to improvement in early detection and intervention of colorectal cancer in young-onset populations.
- Research that leads to a better understanding of the risk factors and causes associated with the rise in young-onset colorectal cancer thus enabling diagnosis at earlier and more treatable stages with an increased survival rate.
- Research that leads to better treatment mechanisms for those living with young-onset colorectal cancer thus increasing the long-term survival rates for those living with the disease.
- Research that leads to a better understanding of the psychosocial impacts associated with young-onset colorectal cancer and its influence on both short-term and long-term survivorship and daily life.
An eligible proposal must demonstrate substantial potential for impact on prevention/early detection or treatment of young-onset colorectal cancer survivor population.
One two-year grant in the amount of $200,000 will be awarded to support the work of the researcher while studying health disparities in colorectal cancer. No more than 25% of the PI’s salary can be allotted to the budget. A partial amount of funds may be designated for non-personnel expenses, such as research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses.