Abstract 2543: Venue-based recruitment to increase colorectal screening rates using fecal immunochemical test in Essex County, New Jersey

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Ill.), 2021-07, Vol.81 (13_Supplement), p.2543-2543
• Main Authors: Alzate-Duque, Luis, Valera, Pamela, Cueto, Vivian, Shome, Ashna, Natale-Pereira, Ana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2021-2543

Background: Overall, Essex County, New Jersey's age-adjusted prevalence for completion of colorectal cancer screening is 71.5%; however, Black and Latinx residents have a lower colorectal cancer screening rate of 65%. To increase urban residents' colorectal screening rates, we used venue-based recruitment to educate the community about fecal immunochemical testing. Methods: Education about fecal immunochemical testing was implemented at community-based events following a colorectal cancer education session. These sessions were carried out in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Eligibility criteria included the following: (1) between the ages of 45-85 and (2) not current with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended colorectal cancer screening. Eligible participants who agreed to participate were provided a fecal immunochemical testing kit and instructed to complete these kits to be returned within two weeks. Patient navigators followed up with study participants to explore barriers to completion and facilitate the fecal immunochemical testing kit's timely return. Results: Approximately 132 participants received the fecal immunochemical testing kit, and 55% were returned. On average, participants who received the fecal immunochemical testing kit were at least 60 years of age, 11% were men, 71% indicated no primary care provider, 72% reported no health insurance, and 81% reported no prior colorectal cancer screening. Of the 55% of the fecal immunochemical testing kit that was returned, 9 (12%) were positive for occult blood, and two diagnostic colonoscopies were completed. Participants noted several barriers to completing and returning the fecal immunochemical testing kit. They noted the following barriers: misplaced or loss of fecal immunochemical testing kit, limited time, and perceived comfortability of handling a stool sample. Discussion: Targeting study participants at community-based events may increase access to colorectal screening for underserved populations. Barriers to colorectal cancer screening could be mitigated by co-locating colorectal cancer screening education in the community. Citation Format: Luis Alzate-Duque, Pamela Valera, Vivian Cueto, Ashna Shome, Ana Natale-Pereira. Venue-based recruitment to increase colorectal screening rates using fecal immunochemical test in Essex County, New Jersey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA