CDC‐funded intervention research aimed at promoting colorectal cancer screening in communities

• Published in: Cancer 2006-09, Vol.107 (S5), p.1196-1204
• Main Authors: Coughlin, Steven S., Costanza, Mary E., Fernandez, Maria E., Glanz, Karen, Lee, Judith W., Smith, Selina A., Stroud, Leonardo, Tessaro, Irene, Westfall, John M., Weissfeld, Joel L., Blumenthal, Daniel S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: African Americans; Aged; Appalachian Region; cancer prevention and control; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Clinical Trials as Topic; colonoscopy; Colorado; colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Community Health Services; Female; Florida; FOBT; Georgia; Government Programs; Hispanics; Humans; Male; Mass Screening - utilization; Massachusetts; Michigan; Middle Aged; New Mexico; rural health; sigmoidoscopy; Texas; United States
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22017

BACKGROUND. Although strong scientific evidence has shown that screening for colorectal cancer saves lives, most U.S. adults who are at the recommended age are not being screened. Prior studies suggest that barriers to routine screening vary by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, health insurance status, and factors related to health care providers and the health care environment. Relatively few studies, however, have identified and tested intervention approaches to promote routine colorectal cancer screening among diverse populations. METHODS. The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at CDC has funded ongoing projects to develop and test interventions to promote routine colorectal cancer screening among medically underserved populations in Appalachia, the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the High Plains region of Colorado, and other U.S. communities. RESULTS. This article provides an overview of colorectal cancer screening intervention studies currently funded by CDC that focus on a wide range of populations, including medically underserved persons who live in predominately rural areas, Hispanic and non‐Hispanic persons, urban African Americans, persons with low health literacy, and persons enrolled in managed care organizations. CONCLUSIONS. These CDC‐funded intervention research projects are likely to contribute importantly to evidence about what works to promote colorectal cancer screening in diverse U.S. communities. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society. The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at CDC has funded ongoing projects to develop and test interventions to promote routine colorectal cancer screening among medically underserved populations and other U.S. communities. The research projects are likely to contribute importantly to evidence about what works to promote colorectal cancer screening in diverse communities.