National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2025: What Hospital Leaders Should Prioritize

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2025 Graphic

Mar03

Posted by Greg Wahlstrom, MBA, HCM
Posted in Uncategorized

Expanding Access, Screening Rates, and Equity in Colorectal Care

Published: March 4, 2025

Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer. As we observe National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2025, hospital executives must treat this campaign not just as an educational event, but as a strategic imperative. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. At UC Health, early screening protocols and community outreach have helped significantly reduce late-stage diagnoses. Health system leaders must ensure that preventive screenings—especially colonoscopies and FIT testing—are embedded in population health dashboards and included in employer-sponsored health plans. Strategic awareness is only effective when backed by operational access.

Health equity in colorectal cancer remains a glaring gap. Black Americans are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it than white Americans, according to data from the American Cancer Society. Hospital executives must champion DEI efforts that include community-based screening events, culturally tailored educational materials, and investment in trusted community health worker models. Mass General Cancer Center has implemented multilingual patient navigation teams and mobile screening services to better serve diverse populations. Executives must lead with data transparency and allocate funding to reduce disparities in diagnosis and treatment access. Equity must move from a boardroom priority to a frontline practice.

Digital engagement is an untapped frontier in colorectal cancer prevention. Increasingly, patients seek information online before consulting a provider, which presents both a risk and an opportunity. Hospital systems like Mayo Clinic now offer interactive screening eligibility tools, video consults, and AI-enhanced reminders to support timely patient action. Hospital CIOs and CMOs should collaborate to leverage EHRs, patient portals, and SMS outreach campaigns that prompt patients to schedule their screenings. In an era of digital-first healthcare, colorectal prevention campaigns must extend beyond posters and into personalized digital pathways that meet patients where they are. When technology serves prevention, lives are saved.

Colorectal cancer strategy also intersects with workforce health. Missed diagnoses among clinicians, presenteeism due to unmanaged GI symptoms, and delays in annual checkups affect team performance and safety. At Cedars-Sinai, workforce health programs include annual GI risk assessments and on-site screening options. Hospital CEOs should ensure their employee wellness offerings include colorectal screening as a reimbursable preventive service. This not only reduces downstream cost but signals an organizational culture that prioritizes comprehensive staff well-being. In 2025, preventive care must begin within the system before it can be promoted externally.

Finally, partnerships with public health agencies and advocacy groups can extend institutional reach. Collaboration with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, state Medicaid programs, and local health departments strengthens community trust and operational alignment. Executives should ensure their public relations and population health teams are integrated in observance planning to capture media attention, drive screenings, and build institutional reputation. Myeloma Action Month may command a week—but March gives hospitals a full month to move the needle. Leaders who align message, metrics, and access will leave lasting impact long after the ribbon campaigns end.

Discover More on Population Health Strategy

If your organization is looking to strengthen its preventive care models and reduce disparities in chronic disease outcomes, read our executive guide on value-based care and workforce optimization.