Meet Dr. Jewel Kling: Partnering With Communities to Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer—yet too many people are still diagnosed late, when treatment is more difficult. Jewel M. Kling, M.D., M.P.H., is working to change that by rethinking how screening reaches the communities that need it most.

At the heart of her work is a simple but powerful idea: meet people where they are, offer screening options that fit into their lives, and build trust every step of the way.

“We are working to make colon cancer screening easier and more accessible—especially in communities that have historically been underserved,” Dr. Kling explains. “Early detection can save lives and reduce preventable deaths from a highly treatable cancer.”

Bringing Screening Into the Community

Dr. Kling’s study focuses on distributing at-home, stool-based FIT tests through trusted community settings—places like churches, community organizations, and safety-net clinics. These tests are paired with culturally responsive education and hands-on navigation to ensure people can complete follow-up care if needed.

“What drew me to this work is the persistent and well-documented disparity in colorectal cancer outcomes,” she says. “Particularly among Black and underserved populations, who experience lower screening rates, later-stage diagnoses, and higher mortality.”

Importantly, the problem isn’t a lack of effective tools. “The gap is not due to lack of effective screening tools,” Dr. Kling notes, “but rather barriers related to access, cost, trust, and healthcare engagement.”

Offering a simple, at-home option—supported by community partnerships—became a tangible way to reduce those barriers.

Why Trust Makes the Difference

Trust-building isn’t a side benefit of this work—it’s essential.

“By partnering with churches, community organizations, and safety-net clinics, we’ve been able to meet people in environments where they feel comfortable and respected,” Dr. Kling says.

These partnerships have helped increase awareness of colon cancer screening, improve participation, and support individuals with abnormal results as they move through the next steps of care. Screening alone, she emphasizes, is not enough.

“Without that trust and continuity, screening alone is not enough—navigation and follow-up are critical to improving outcomes,” she says. Dr. Kling also credits the multidisciplinary teams at Mayo Clinic for making this coordination possible “in a culturally sensitive and compassionate way.”

Research Done With Communities, Not To Them

Community voices play a direct role in shaping how the study is designed and delivered.

“Educational materials, outreach strategies, and workflows have all been adapted based on feedback from community members and partners,” Dr. Kling explains.

That feedback transforms the work from a transactional process into a collaborative one. “It ensures that what we offer is culturally relevant, practical, and aligned with real-world needs—rather than assumptions made within a traditional research setting.”

This approach also leads to insights that don’t always emerge in academic environments.

“One of the most important lessons is that trust, relationships, and lived experience are as critical as the intervention itself,” she says.

Community members have also highlighted that barriers to screening are often logistical and structural—such as lack of a provider recommendation, concerns about cost, or prior negative experiences in healthcare. “These insights fundamentally shape how we approach both outreach and follow-up care,” Dr. Kling notes.

Closing the Gaps That Still Exist

Despite progress, real challenges remain. Limited access to care, financial concerns, lack of screening recommendations, and lingering mistrust tied to experiences of discrimination continue to stand in the way.

Equally concerning is what happens after screening. “Ensuring that patients with abnormal results can access timely colonoscopy and complete the care continuum” is a critical gap, Dr. Kling says.

She believes the biggest impact will come from expanding navigation services, reducing financial barriers, and continuing to strengthen community-clinical partnerships.

One Message Dr. Kling Wants Everyone to Hear

If there’s one takeaway Dr. Kling hopes readers remember, it’s this:

“Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and screening—especially with simple at-home options like FIT—can detect it early when it is most treatable.”

Her call to action is simple but powerful: “The most important next step is to get screened and to encourage others in your community to do the same—because early detection truly saves lives.”