Abstract A23: Fe en Acción/Faith in Action: Promotion of cancer screening among churchgoing Latinas

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: To present outcomes of a controlled two-group clustered randomized community trial promoting breast, cervical, skin and colorectal cancer screening (CS) among churchgoing Latinas through promotoras (lay health advisors). Design: Sixteen churches were randomly assigned either to the CS or a physical activity (PA) condition. Sixteen promotoras at the 8 CS churches intervened at the individual- (knowledge and beliefs), interpersonal- (social support and sharing personal experiences), organizational- (space at church for program activities), and environmental- (access to health care) levels to affect changes in target behaviors. Approximately 27 women per church were recruited to participate in the study. Measurements: The study's primary outcome was being current on recommended mammography, clinical breast exams, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, and cervical cancer tests based on self-report at baseline and 12 and 24 months following implementation of intervention activities. Participants were 436 Latinas (aged 18-65 years; 91% Mexican immigrants) who met activity-level criteria for the PA condition, attended church at least four times per month, and lived near their church. Enrolled participants were asked to complete measures assessing PA and cancer screening as well as their correlates at each measurement point (e.g., health insurance, perceived barriers to screening, and knowledge about each cancer). Results: The CS intervention had a significant positive impact on self-reported uptake of mammography and breast exams. Pap smear tests were already reported at high baseline rates and did not change as a function of the intervention. Colorectal cancer screening rates were low and did not improve with the intervention. Summary: Promotoras working in their own churches can have a significant impact on promoting breast cancer screening among Latinas. The use of colon cancer screening remains a difficult challenge, however, with improved methods still being needed. Citation Format: John P. Elder, Elva M. Arredondo, Jessica Haughton, Lilian G. Perez, María Elena Martínez. Fe en Acción/Faith in Action: Promotion of cancer screening among churchgoing Latinas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A23.