Abstract B030: See, Test, and Treat: Engaging vulnerable populations in cancer screening

Abstract

Abstract Background: The breast cancer and cervical cancer mortality rates among women in Mississippi are higher than the national averages. Early detection and early treatment are associated with longer survival rates among women who are diagnosed with breast cancer or cervical cancer. However, the percentage of women in Mississippi who report having regular mammograms and in cervical cancer screenings is lower than the national average. Purpose: Clinicians and investigators at UMMC are actively working within transdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing breast and cervical cancer mortality disparities in the state. Methods: See, Test, and Treat was a community-based cancer screening event that occurred on June 1, 2019 at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. The UMMC team provided breast, cervical and oral cancer screenings to 103 women. Healthy cooking and exercise demonstrations, were conducted to actively engage patients in health education activities. Participants completed a brief exit survey that was used to gather data on the effect of the program on the patients’ knowledge and attitudes towards cancer screenings, and intentions to changed cancer related health behaviors. Results: The short-term outcomes showed that 21 patients had abnormal mammograms. All of the patients with abnormal mammograms were immediately linked to follow-up care. No Pap tests were returned with abnormal results. However, the clinicians diagnosed 8 patients with Trichomonas. The majority of the patients indicated that their knowledge of and attitudes towards breast and cervical cancer screening changed positively and the majority intended to change their cancer related health behaviors. Conclusion: See, Test, and Treat is an effective community-based activity that can increase access to breast, cervical and oral cancer screenings by uninsured and underinsured women. Citation Format: Michelle S Williams, Jimmie Wells, Roy Duhe, Timothy Allen. See, Test, and Treat: Engaging vulnerable populations in cancer screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B030.