Abstract PO-036: Healthcare and colorectal cancer screening needs among older adults in a cancer center catchment area

Abstract

Abstract Background and objective Cancer centers and healthcare systems play a pivotal role in identifying and responding appropriately to the population's cancer burden and health needs in their catchment area to reduce health inequities. Community health needs assessment (CHNA) is an integral instrument in identifying individuals' fundamental health needs in a given community. This study utilizes data from a pilot CHNA collected by a Cancer Center at community engagement events to examine cancer screening status, cancer screening education, having a primary care doctor, and barriers to healthcare among older participants. We hypothesize that screening and healthcare needs will differ by racial/ethnic groups. Methods The initial CHNA comprises data from eligible participants aged 18 years and older who attended 13 cultural and health events in Chicago from August to December 2019. The study analysis focused on Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants aged 50 years and older. We examined colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and education interest questions as emblematic for both sexes in this age group based on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations in 2019. Participants responded to (1) having received colon/rectal cancer screening with stool test (FOBT/FIT) or colonoscopy within the past ten years and (2) interests in learning more about the screening tests. We conducted descriptive bivariate analyses to examine CRC screening status and interests, having primary care, and barriers to care by race/ethnicity and used the Chi-square test of association to compare differences for the descriptive analyses. Results The study consisted of 308 men and women aged 50 years and older. Of these, 25% were Hispanic, 59% were NHB, and 16% were NHW. Compared to NHW participants, a smaller proportion of Hispanics (59.2% vs 78.4%; p=0.02) reported receiving CRC screening while no differences were observed for NHB participants (73.5% vs 78.4%; p=0.47). Compared to NHW participants, more Hispanics (31.6% vs 11.8%; p=0.01) and NHB (27.6% vs 11.8%; p=0.02) participants expressed interest in receiving education on CRC screening. Likewise, more Hispanic participants reported not having a primary care doctor (86.8% vs 94.1%; p=0.02), while no differences were observed for NHB vs NHW participants (92.3% vs 94.1%; p=0.08). Furthermore, compared to NHWs, more Hispanics and NHB participants reported barriers to screening such as transportation (NHW=0% vs Hispanics=7.9% vs NHB=16%), knowledge of screening services (NHW=1.96% vs Hispanics=7.9% vs NHB=20.4%), and lack of provider trust (NHW=3.9% vs Hispanics=11.8% vs NHB=14.3%). Conclusion The study findings show differences in CRC screening status and education interests, having primary care, and barriers to care by race/ethnicity. Minority groups reported higher screening education interests and barriers to care. This study demonstrates a means of identifying the population's healthcare needs and interests within a catchment area using a community engagement model. Citation Format: Ifeanyi B. Chukwudozie, Chibuzor Abasilim, Jessica M. Madrigal, Vida A. Henderson, Erica Martinez, Alana A. Aziz-Bradley, Jeanette Santana Gonzalez, Nasima Mannan, Ahlam Al-Kodmany, Karriem S Watson. Healthcare and colorectal cancer screening needs among older adults in a cancer center catchment area [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-036.