Active CACHE Projects
Referral Following Elevated Results from Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among US men. However, risk of death from prostate cancer can be reduced through early detection, including screening done via a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), and subsequent treatment of early-stage disease. Black men have an elevated risk of developing more severe forms of prostate cancer at an earlier age; they are also at a higher risk of dying from the disease. One possible reason suggested for this disparity is that Black men may be less likely to receive and complete timely follow-up with urology specialists for additional assessment and treatment following a PSA test with abnormal findings.
Reducing Maternal Mortality
Rates of maternal mortality (death during or shortly after pregnancy) in the United States are elevated relative to those of peer nations and are especially high for Black women. Worse, trends for rates of maternal death have gotten worse over time and across racial and ethnic groups. the US increase in maternal morbidity may be tied to a rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors – such as obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes – across American populations. Women of childbearing age have seen increases in the prevalence of these risk factors; in addition, many US women are giving birth at older ages, which may further compound risks.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Timely screening reduces the likelihood of death from CRC and is recommended for average-risk adults aged 45-75. Over the past 30 years, deaths from CRC have fallen substantially for all racial and ethnic groups. However, African American adults continue to have an elevated risk of death from CRC. Further, over 25% of US adults are not up to date with CRC screening, and persons without health insurance or a usual care provider are less likely to be screened.
