Brooklyn Hospital receives grant to boost colorectal cancer screening

August 12, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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FORT GREENE — THE BROOKLYN HOSPITAL CENTER BEEN AWARDED A GRANT from Exact Sciences’ FOCUS Program and is one of 28 organizations sharing $1.5 million to improve colorectal cancer screening rates, making healthcare more accessible for underserved communities. Exact Sciences, a leader in cancer screening and diagnostic tests, launched the FOCUS Program in 2022 to increase screening. Since then, the program has awarded over $4.5 million to more than 75 organizations across the U.S., creating a lasting impact. TBHC will apply the grant money for implementing strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening rates among underserved populations in Brooklyn. The funding will support community outreach, education and screening services, aiming to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Brooklyn. This cancer is highly preventable and treatable if caught early, yet 60 million average-risk adults in the U.S. remain unscreened, leading to more than 50,000 deaths annually.

Screening disparities are especially significant among racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic groups, making colorectal cancer the second-leading cause of cancer death in the country.

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