Abstract A061: Screen to save: Educating Utahns about colorectal cancer prevention and screening

Abstract

Abstract In 2016, the National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) launched Screen to Save: Colorectal Cancer Outreach and Screening Initiative (S2S). The initiative's primary goal aligned with Blue Ribbon Panel Cancer Moonshot recommendations to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates by 80% by 2018. Nationally, S2S was implemented by Community Health Educators (CHEs) from NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. S2S implementation Phase 1 included education and awareness, and phase 2, connection to at-home screening and a 3-month follow-up survey. Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah participated in phase 1 and a modified follow-up survey. In 2016, Utah's Public Health Indicator Based Information System reported that 72.7% of Utah adults aged 50-75 received CRC screening. In addition, an HCI community health needs assessment identified CRC screening rates as a health disparity in four rural/frontier Utah health districts. HCI's existing collaborations and partnerships helped facilitate S2S activities in summer and fall of 2017. HCI's outreach team, which included trained graduate-level interns and Community Health Workers (CHWs), implemented S2S presentations and health events with local and rural populations, including Pacific Islander, American Indian, and African-American groups. Educational materials were provided by CRCHD and culturally tailored by HCI CHEs. CRC prevention and screening education was delivered in English and Spanish through one or more of the following methods: PowerPoint presentation, flipchart, and giant inflatable colorectal cancer education exhibit. Participants were given a pre-test before the intervention and a post-test following the educational component. De-identified survey data were sent to NCI and combined with data from other participating S2S sites. HCI's goal of 100 surveys was surpassed with 124 collected. Data analysis from Phase 1 of S2S showed an increase in knowledge and intention to screen as a result of HCI's educational intervention. More importantly, data highlighted the need for understanding connections between lifestyle, individual behaviors, and CRC risk—specifically, risks due to poor nutrition and obesity. In addition, data showed the need for awareness of CRC screening options such as the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Knowledge of the FOBT/FIT increased from 48.75% (pre-intervention) to 83.55% (post-intervention). In addition, the CHE collaborated internally with HCI Communications and Public Affairs to host a Twitter chat and Facebook Live event. This poster will elaborate on S2S survey findings, social media analytics, partnership building, and future steps for CRC education and health equity activities in Utah. Citation Format: Jennyffer Morales, Garrett Harding, Jane Ostler, Susana Alba, Janae Decker, Allison Whitworth, Victoria Meade, Hannah Holm, Lisa Anderson, Alyssa Geisler, Allison Elmer, Nathan Begaye, Jeff Yancey, Donna Branson, John Sweetenham, Ana Maria Lopez. Screen to save: Educating Utahns about colorectal cancer prevention and screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A061.