The WNC Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (WNC CRCSI) provides vital colorectal cancer screening to average risk, uninsured, low-income patients between the ages of 45 and 75 in Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, McDowell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, Transylvania, Rutherford, Macon, Jackson, Swain, Polk counties.
The program is run by Digestive Health Partners (a gastroenterologist practice in Asheville) in collaboration with local federally qualified community health centers, WCMS’s Project Access, independent primary care offices, and the American Cancer Society. The program was founded by local physician, Dr. Michael Newcomer of Digestive Health Partners, who remains the medical director of the program. Started in 2019, the WNC CRCSI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) housed within WCMS.
The American Cancer Society states that regular colorectal cancer is largely preventable and screening is one of the most powerful tools for preventing colorectal cancer. They estimate that 40 out of 100 deaths from late stage colorectal cancer are preventable if all adults aged 45 and older were routinely screened.
Participating community health centers provide uninsured, average risk patients age 45 or older with a free fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Patients with a positive FIT who meet the program’s criteria receive a colonoscopy with no out-of-pocket cost.
WNC CRCSI patients who are under 200% FPL and have been full-time residents in either Buncombe or Madison Counties for six months meet the qualification criterion for Project Access® and can obtain hospital- based endoscopy services, colonoscopy, anesthesia, pathology and cancer treatment services at no cost.
Patients who do not qualify for Project Access and have a positive FIT receive a colonoscopy with no out-of-pocket cost. Patients with a positive colonoscopy are then enrolled in a charity care program at one of the local hospitals to receive low-cost surgery and cancer care.
How to Participate in WNC CRCSI
Contact one of our participating clinics to make an appointment to receive your stool test. If the stool test is positive for blood, you will need a colonoscopy to find the cause of the blood.
If you are uninsured, make under 200% of the FPL, and have resided in either Buncombe or Madison Counties for at least six months, request to be referred to Project Access®.
Project Access® is a network of volunteer physicians helping low-income, uninsured patients access comprehensive healthcare through donated medical care from individual physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and other volunteer providers.
A Health Access Navigator will contact you and review the application and eligibility requirements for Project Access®.
If you are eligible for Project Access®, you will be referred to one of our participating clinics to be scheduled for a screening colonoscopy at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
If you are ineligible for Project Access®, you may still be eligible for your screening colonoscopy with no out-of-pocket cost through the WNC CRCSI Expansion Program grant process.
Who is Eligible?
You are eligible if you are 45-75 years old with a positive FIT and are at average risk for colorectal cancer.
Referral Clinics
Please call one of the following clinics to make an appointment:
If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can donate online or send a check to WCMS, 304 Summit St., Asheville, NC 28803. Please put “WNC CRCSI” in the memo line. For more information or to see if you qualify, please review the eligibility information above.
