P2166 - Championing Change: UVA's Battle Against Early Onset Colorectal Cancer

Tala Mahmoud, MD¹, Lindsey Bierle, DO¹, Neeral Shah, MD², Cynthia M.. Yoshida, MD^1
1University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; ²University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA

Introduction: Background: Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a growing concern, especially among young adults. The "Championing Change" campaign, led by a team of medical students, residents, and fellows at the University of Virginia (UVA) Hospital, aimed to raise awareness of early-onset CRC within the UVA Health and local community.

Case Description/Methods: Methods: The campaign utilized a blend of digital and traditional outreach methods during a dedicated "CRC Awareness Week" at UVA Hospital. Proactive meetings were held months prior to the event with undergraduate students, sorority members, and medical students to tailor an outreach plan for individuals aged 18 to 35. Insights from the NCCRT lead time messaging guidebook were used to emphasize the urgency of early-onset CRC screening. Visually appealing social media posts were crafted and reviewed by medical advisors (Figure 1). Dynamic in-person events included a keynote address, an inflatable colon display, and a "Wear Blue Day". Additionally, the campaign extended its outreach through a news segment hosted by a local radio station.

Discussion: Results: The campaign achieved significant traction, reaching over 1,000 accounts and stimulating crucial conversations on social media. The keynote address received high attendance and positive reception. "Wear Blue Day" saw widespread participation by UVA hospital staff, symbolizing collective commitment to CRC awareness. The inflatable colon display in the hospital cafeteria attracted attention and facilitated engagement, with medical students, staff, and patients actively learning about early-onset CRC. Participation in the news segment further amplified the campaign's message, sparking meaningful dialogue on CRC prevention and control.
^{Conclusion: The "Championing Change" campaign effectively engaged the local and UVA Health community in raising awareness of early-onset CRC through a multifaceted approach. These efforts signify significant progress towards building a professional network dedicated to addressing early-onset CRC}



Disclosures:


Tala Mahmoud, MD¹, Lindsey Bierle, DO¹, Neeral Shah, MD², Cynthia M.. Yoshida, MD¹. P2166 - Championing Change: UVA's Battle Against Early Onset Colorectal Cancer, ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Gastroenterology.