Prevention and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer in Appalachian Kentucky

University of Kentucky: Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Cancer | Training & Technical Assistance

Colorectal cancer screening rates are low in rural communities that are economically disadvantaged and medically underserved. In rural Appalachian Kentucky, the screening rate for colon cancer is much lower than national rates (particularly among residents aged 50–64 years) and the death rate is much higher than that of both the state and the nation. Based on a prior center study that identified the barriers to screening, Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Appalachian Kentucky, researchers and their community partners are conducting a community and a primary care practice intervention to increase screening rates for residents aged 50 years or older.

An extensive media campaign is being conducted in one Appalachian community to educate residents about the risk of colorectal cancer, the types of screening options, the importance early detection, and how to contact the American Cancer Society (ACS) for more information. Researchers will determine the campaign’s effectiveness by surveying about 200 randomly selected residents and comparing their knowledge and screening behavior with that of residents in a non-intervention community. They will also analyze call rates to the ACS to see if telephone calls regarding colorectal cancer were associated with the media campaign.

Doctors and office staff at about 60 primary care practices are being educated about screening procedures and their effectiveness. Practitioners are also being trained to counsel patients about colon cancer and screening options. Following the training, office staff will give patients (aged 50 years or older) educational materials while they wait to see their doctor. These materials encourage patients to ask about colon cancer screening during their visit even though they are being seen for other medical conditions. Researchers will evaluate this intervention by comparing information from doctors’ practices and patient medical records before the intervention, and at 6-months and 1-year later. They will look at the number of patients that received screening, follow-up, and referrals. Interviews with physicians and patients will identify the strengths and limitations of the intervention and provide additional information about the barriers to screening that both patients and physicians must overcome. If the interventions are successful, researchers will disseminate the strategies to other rural communities.

 

Back to Research Projects