Each March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month calls on our nation to confront a disease that is both common and devastating, yet in so many cases, entirely preventable. When found early, colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable and beatable cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 91%. That’s why screening and early detection are critical.

A recent report from the American Cancer Society underscores the urgency: colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults, and rectal cancer rates are rising. These shifts mean screening, awareness, and timely follow-up care matter more than ever. Here in Pennsylvania, the stakes are especially high. Every 3.2 hours, a Pennsylvanian dies from colorectal cancer, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the Commonwealth.

To help Pennsylvanians get screened earlier, receive follow-up care more easily, and overcome practical barriers, Penn State College of Medicine is launching PA-CARES–a new initiative supported by a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rather than introducing another program for people to navigate, the goal of PA-CARES is simple: make screening and follow-up care more accessible in the communities where people live.

Pennsylvanians often face real-world obstacles that get in the way of timely screening: long travel distances, limited appointment availability, uncertainty about which test is right for them, difficulty navigating referrals, or simply not receiving a clear recommendation from a provider.

PA-CARES is designed to remove those barriers by helping local clinics and health centers expand screening options and improve care coordination. For patients, that means:

More places to get screened, including primary care practices and community clinics in rural and underserved areas;

Easier access to at-home stool-based tests when appropriate;

Help navigating referrals for diagnostic colonoscopies after an abnormal test;

Support to ensure follow-up appointments happen on time;

Clear information about screening options and when to start.

PA-CARES is partnering with rural and community-based health centers so that screening is available close to home–not only in major medical centers. Early sites include practices within Penn State Health, Penn State Cancer Institute, Broad Top Area Medical Center, Keystone Rural Health Center, and the Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Additional clinics will be added as the program expands.

No single institution can close the gap in colorectal cancer outcomes alone. That’s why PA-CARES is grounded in strong local collaboration. In Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, where a combined 90,235 residents live across largely rural communities, more than 22,000 patients are connected through primary care and community health networks. Yet colorectal cancer screening rates here remain below statewide averages, and distance to specialty care continues to be a major barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment.

Colorectal cancer remains a major threat across Pennsylvania. Statewide data show that many rural and semi-urban counties fall below national screening thresholds, with preventable deaths still far too common. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, recent data reflect that residents in several Pennsylvania counties continue to experience incidence rates above the state average of 37.1 per 100,000, highlighting the urgency for targeted screening and follow-up care.

That’s why PA-CARES partners are combining expertise and community trust to make screening accessible close to home. Together, we’re ensuring that residents in Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, and neighboring counties can access high-quality preventive care without traveling far from where they live and work. Our partners include: Penn State Health, Penn State Cancer Institute, Broad Top Area Medical Center, Keystone Rural Health Center and Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Prevention starts with awareness. Colorectal screening is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the health of our community,” said Thomas Sullivan, a physician assistant and provider champion at Broad Top Area Medical Center. “Taking time for colorectal cancer screening is a small step that makes a big difference, helping keep our community healthy and here for the people who matter most.”

By building local partnerships, investing in navigation programs, and connecting patients with trusted providers, we are turning data into action–proving that collaboration can close the gap between awareness and survival.

While most patients won’t see the systems work happening in the background, they will feel the difference. PA-CARES helps clinics standardize reminders and recommendations so every eligible patient is offered screening. It strengthens referral pathways, ensuring that people with abnormal results don’t fall through the cracks. And it supports clinics with the data, training, and tools needed to track outcomes and close gaps.

As we mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage Pennsylvanians to talk with their health care providers, ask about screening options and share this message with loved ones. Early detection saves lives. Through PA-CARES, we are making that promise a reality for communities across our Commonwealth.

For more information, contact PACares@psu.edu.

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Fornessa Randal, EdD, MCRP, serves as the director for Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities for the Penn State College of Medicine. She has more than 30 years of experience in health systems innovation and community health planning. Dr. Randal is recognized both locally and nationally for her innovative approach to program design and implementation.