Can community awareness campaigns in low-resource areas improve early diagnosis of colorectal cancer?

In low-resource regions such as Nigeria, most people with colorectal cancer are diagnosed too late for curative treatment options. A community awareness campaign in the country helped clinicians detect both early-stage and advanced colorectal cancer in patients who had not been aware that they should be screened. That’s according to a study published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

For the study, investigators conducted a 6-month community awareness campaign, with information, education, and communication materials—including bilingual flyers, posters, banners, radio jingles, and social media—about colorectal cancer symptoms and risk factors. These materials were distributed during community events, clinic visits, and through religious institutions.

Among 497 participants, 322 completed surveys both before and after the campaign. Only 16.8% had awareness of colorectal cancer before the campaign, but 96.9% had awareness after the campaign. Good knowledge of colorectal cancer risk factors and symptoms also increased significantly.

Individuals with indicators of colorectal cancer based on baseline survey results were referred by health care workers and patient navigators to an Early Diagnosis Clinic. Among 329 individuals who went to the Early Diagnosis Clinic, 168 (51.1%) were identified as having risk factors for colorectal cancer (such as unexplained changes in bowel habits or anal ulcerations, or a family history of colorectal cancer), and 116 (73.0%) completed a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in four patients (3.4%), with two having stage 0, one having stage II, and one having stage III disease. Precancerous polyps (advanced adenomas) were identified in 11% of the patients who underwent colonoscopy.

“This program is the first of its kind to demonstrate a program in sub-Saharan Africa that includes both community education and symptoms that trigger navigation to a colorectal cancer early diagnosis clinic to prevent cancer in patients with advanced adenomas and identify colorectal cancer in curable stages,” said senior author T. Peter Kingham, MD, of the African Research Group for Oncology, in Nigeria, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City. 

Additional information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the CANCER Newsroom upon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com

Full Citation:
“Customized early detection of colorectal cancer in Nigeria identifies advanced adenomas and early-stage disease.” Olusegun I. Alatise, Israel A. Owoade, Oluwaleke J. Fayenuwo, Nafisat O. O. Lawal, Cristina Olcese, Rivka Kahn, Alexia Iasonos, Adeoluwa O. Adeleye, Christopher O. Bamidele, Felicita Akinlusi, Temitope Ogunkoya, Sola O. Olugbade, Priscilla Akinsiku, Opeyemi Akinlusi, Abigael Akinwale, Moyinoluwa Oyelakin, Oluwadayomi Adedeji, Gbenga S. Ogunleye, Oluwabusayomi R. Ademakinwa, Tajudeen Mohammed, Adewale Aderounmu, Funmilola Wuraola, Oluwatosin Z. Omoyiola, Omolade A. Betiku, Adeleye D. Omisore, Olalekan Olasehinde, Dean Hosgood, Adebola Adedimeji, Anna Dare, Adewale O. Adisa, and T. Peter Kingham. CANCER; Published Online: December 22, 2025 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.70156). 
URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.70156

Author Contact: Rebecca Williams, Senior Manager, Media Relations, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, at williamr@mskcc.org or +1 917-280-3413

About the Journal     
CANCER is a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society integrating scientific information from worldwide sources for all oncologic specialties. The objective of CANCER is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology, course, and treatment of human cancer. CANCER is published on behalf of the American Cancer Society by Wiley and can be accessed online. Follow CANCER on X @JournalCancer and Instagram @ACSJournalCancer, and stay up to date with the American Cancer Society Journals on LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Wiley       
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.