Abstract PO-141: Dietary and cultural practices of minorities in New York City as an indicator of colorectal cancer screening behavior and screening intent

Abstract

Abstract There are significant racial and gender disparities in health behaviors and health outcomes in the United States, and these differences are vast and not well understood. As colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, and African-Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all the racial groups in the U.S., it is essential to understand the interplay between individual health behaviors that may be unique racial patterns and health outcomes. This research study is a pilot study that is part of a larger study with existing preliminary data. This pilot study examined dietary habits and practices of individuals of individuals identifying as Black as a predictor for colorectal cancer screening. The linkages between race and health behaviors have been the subject of research, however much work remains to improve understanding of factors associated with preventive cancer screening and the differences by race and within race. This study addresses the relationship between dietary habits and screening behavior and intent. Comparisons will be explored through the lenses of ethnicity and gender. To address the significant gap in literature, survey data was collected on dietary habits and screening behavior (most recent exam and intent to screen within a year) from 500 individuals in the boroughs of New York City. Participants are those who identify as Black and are from multiple ethnicities. This study evaluates the correlation between individuals with a higher intake of healthy options, and their intent to screen for colorectal cancer within a year. This study utilizes a survey tool that includes a modification of the Eating Habits Questionnaire of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, blended with a modification of the Motivators of and Barriers to Health-Smart Behaviors inventory (MB-HSBI). Future work of this study is concerned with gathering qualitative data around the interrelationship between culture and diet as it pertains to screening behavior and intent, and the multiple variations of that relationship by ethnicity. Results of these studies can provide health educators, providers, and policy makers information that is critically in an effort to create culturally relevant health promotion materials within the Black community. Citation Format: Cicely K. Johnson, Olorunseun Ogunwobi, Grace Ma. Dietary and cultural practices of minorities in New York City as an indicator of colorectal cancer screening behavior and screening intent [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-141.