Early detection starts with access: Ascension cancer screening initiatives reach over half a million individuals over three years

Breast and colorectal cancers remain among the most common cancer types in the United States, with a striking rise in incidence in younger patients. When detected early, they are among the most treatable cancers, but unfortunately barriers to screening lead to late-stage identification in too many patients.

For many people, transportation, cost, work schedules, misperceptions and other everyday barriers make it difficult to access recommended screenings. When these tests are delayed, cancer is more likely to be found at a later stage when treatment is more complex and outcomes can be less favorable.

To help remove these barriers, Ascension has focused on expanding access to preventive care where it can have the greatest impact. Over the past three years, increasing access to breast and colorectal cancer screenings has been a systemwide clinical priority, helping close care gaps for patients living in communities facing greater social and economic challenges.

The three-year outcomes at a glance

• 517,075 patients received recommended breast and/or colorectal cancer screenings - 179,231 of them in high-need communities
• 7,872 patients connected to active cancer treatment after diagnostic work-up
• 35% decrease in late-stage breast cancer diagnoses
• 23% decrease in late-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses

"Behind every screening is a person, a family, and the possibility of a better future through early detection," said Thomas Aloia, MD, MHCM, FACS, FACHE, Chief Clinical Officer at Ascension. "Finding cancer sooner gives patients more treatment options, may reduce the need for more invasive care, and increases the likelihood of successful treatment. The value of this work isn't only measured by the number of screenings we perform, but also by the patients who receive care before cancer progresses."

Focusing care where it's needed most

Every year, Ascension aligns its care delivery and clinical priorities with the greatest health needs across its communities, directing efforts where they can make the biggest difference. As part of its most recent clinical priorities, Ascension aimed to increase breast and colorectal cancer screenings for all eligible patients with a particular focus on patients living in communities with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores.

The SVI identifies neighborhoods where factors such as housing, transportation, income, and education may create barriers to health, helping care teams focus outreach and preventive services for the communities facing the greatest need.

"We intentionally focus our clinical priorities on the communities and individuals facing the greatest barriers to care," said Stacy Garrett-Ray, MD, MPH, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer at Ascension. "Improving health starts with improving access. By meeting people where they are and removing barriers to screening, we're helping ensure more patients receive the preventive care they need."

Through targeted outreach and expanded access initiatives, Ascension care teams helped 517,075 individuals receive screenings over a three-year period, including 179,231 patients living in high-SVI communities.

Making screenings more accessible

Making it easier for people to get screened means removing some of the biggest barriers to care. Ascension combined digital tools, community partnerships, and tailored outreach to help more people complete their recommended screenings, including:

• Personalized reminders: Text messages and emails encouraged patients who were overdue for screenings to schedule appointments, helping reach many who weren't actively using patient electronic healthcare record (EHR) portals.
• At-home screening options: Eligible patients could complete colorectal cancer screening tests from home, making it easier to stay up to date without the added time, travel, or preparation of an in-person visit.
• Bringing screenings into the community: Mobile mammography units and extended clinic hours helped bring breast cancer screenings directly into neighborhoods where access to care is limited.

Earlier detections, better outcomes

When more people receive recommended screenings, cancer is more likely to be found earlier, facilitating treatment that is often more effective. During the initiative, approximately 8,000 patients who received a cancer diagnosis were connected to treatment, helping ensure they could begin care as quickly as possible.

The initiative also helped reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. Among patients living in high-SVI communities, the gap in late-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses compared with lower-risk communities narrowed from 37% in fiscal year 2023 to 7.2% by fiscal year 2025.

Building on the momentum

The progress made through this clinical priority is helping shape how Ascension delivers preventive care moving forward. Expanded clinic hours, mobile mammography services, digital reminders, and improved sharing of outside medical records are now part of Ascension's ongoing approach to preventive care. These efforts reflect Ascension's continued commitment to making preventive care more accessible and ensuring more patients receive recommended screenings.