Despite the challenges of limited staffing and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Colorectal Cancer Control Program – a five-year (2020-2025) grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – has achieved significant progress in increasing colorectal cancer screening rates across Alaska.
Over the past five years, the average screening rate among Tribal health organization partners increased from 46% to 62%, representing a 35% improvement. This progress has contributed to a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people. Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for Alaska Native people 40 and older, and all adults ages 45 and up.
The program supported seven Tribal health organizations across the state by providing technical assistance, provider education, and ongoing support through community calls and peer learning opportunities. These efforts created space for partners to learn from one another and share best practices. The program also assisted with mass mail-outs of at-home stool test kits, distributed culturally relevant education materials, and promoted consistent, collaborative engagement to expand access and awareness.
Additional efforts included addressing the colorectal cancer screening referral backlog at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), which improved access to colonoscopy services and helped reduce the burden on clinical staff.
Culturally tailored outreach was a significant success. Alaska-themed colorectal cancer screening media were developed and translated into Yupik, helping to engage rural and Alaska Native communities in a meaningful way.
Additionally, the Colorectal Cancer Program also focused on policy updates, which included updating and revising the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines (2021), supported the passage of an Alaska Federation of Natives-approved resolution (#21-14) to promote screening and address cancer disparities, and submitted a letter of support for proposed changes to Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code to expand Medicaid coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Together, these efforts have advanced health equity and strengthened Alaska’s statewide approach to colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes.
To learn more about the ANTHC Colorectal Cancer Control Program, visit: https://epi.anthc.org/crc/
If you are 40 and would like to schedule a colorectal cancer screening, speak to your primary care provider, or call the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinic at 907-729-4444. The clinic will work with you and your provider to schedule the appropriate referral.
