UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Robert Hollis M.D., MSPH, and UAB Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Assistant Professor Patricia Ajayi-Fox, M.D., have been awarded $120,000 by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Cancer Prevention and Control Division for the second consecutive year for the "Alabama Colorectal Cancer Screening Project: Colorectal Cancer Screening for Low-Income Residents of Jefferson County."

The Alabama Department of Public Health's Cancer Prevention and Control Division seeks to implement programs in Alabama that will reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality through prevention, early detection, and surveillance.

The current project started in February 2024 and will run through the end of September 2024. The funds allocated for this initiative will be used to conduct colonoscopy screening for low-income and under/uninsured individuals from Jefferson County. This effort is conducted as a partnership with Cooper Green Hospital and other local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinics such as Christ Health. Colonoscopy screening is provided at Kirklin Clinic by UAB colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists.

The goal of this project is to reduce health disparities in colonoscopy screening and colorectal cancer outcomes for vulnerable populations in Jefferson County. Patients identified with pathologic findings are referred for further treatment services at UAB.

"During the 2022-2023 award cycle, we completed nearly 100 colonoscopies for low-income, un-/under insured individuals who predominately came from minority backgrounds. One-half of these colonoscopies identified and removed colon polyps, and three early-stage cancers were identified and successfully treated," says Hollis. "We look forward to continuing this effort for our local Jefferson County patient this year and hopefully for many years to come."

The success of this ongoing project is dependent on a large group effort including but not limited to Paige Culp, Anyet Belyeu, and Ada Holyfield in Kirklin Clinic Endoscopy/Ambulatory services, UAB colorectal surgeons, UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery nursing coordinators, referring providers, and many others.