In April 2021, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law a bill lowering the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 for those at average risk and removed out of pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive screening test. This policy went into effect in January 2022.  

Catalyst grantees were also able to increase funding for Arkansas’s colorectal cancer screening program by $50,000!  

 Additionally, Fight CRC worked with health policy experts at the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) to develop a report assessing the prevalence of colorectal cancer screening in Arkansas and identifying gaps in access to screening. This helpful resource serves as a model for other states for how they can effectively utilize data to support their advocacy efforts.  

Colorectal Cancer Screening Rate

71%

Estimated Number of New Cases in 2023

1,630

*Overall Percentage of Adults Who Are Up to Date with Colorectal Cancer Screening

Arkansas Grantees 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Arkansas is a non-profit, non-partisan cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a priority with Arkansas’ state legislators and congressional delegation.  ACS CAN Arkansas staff and volunteers encourage elected officials to not only talk about fighting cancer but take real steps toward decreasing the impact of cancer on Arkansas. 

Arkansas Colorectal Cancer Screening Coverage

Arkansas state law requires that any healthcare policy issued in the state on or after August 1, 2005, must include colorectal cancer screening tests with an A or B grade from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This includes high-sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), stool DNA test (such as Cologuard), colonoscopy, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.  

The law applies to those who are age 45 and older, those who are under age 45 and are considered high risk, and those who are “experiencing or meeting the following criteria or symptoms of colorectal cancer as determined by a physician licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act”.  

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