Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening for Diverse Hispanics in Urban Primary Care

CRC is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women and men. Hispanics are more likely to be diagnosed at more advanced disease stages compared to non-Hispanic whites and have a lower probability of survival. A key way to decrease mortality from CRC among Hispanics is to increase rates of CRC screening and thereby early detection of CRC. To address low screening rates, thereby increasing the prevention and early detection of CRC, the proposed research seeks to increase CRC colonoscopy screening among Hispanics. The primary aim is to investigate the impact of a culturally targeted print educational intervention designed to increase CRC screening via colonoscopy in a diverse group of Hispanics 50 years of age and older. Our long standing (since 1999) research platform has included significant community input through ongoing meetings with our Community Advisory Board (CAB) soliciting their viewpoints and concerns. In addition, we consult with key community members on an ongoing basis for additional input. A Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) will be conducted with 400 Hispanics within the context of the best clinical practices currently provided at Mount Sinai. There are three study arms: 1) best clinical practices plus culturally relevant print materials, 2) best clinical practices plus standard print materials and 3) best clinical practices alone. These three arms will allow the investigation of the addition of print materials and the comparison of culturally relevant to standard print materials to assess the differential impact of each print format. This comparison controls for the possible benefit of adding standard print materials to best clinical practices and allows for investigation of the additional benefit of culturally targeted relevant materials over and above that of standard materials. Further, by including feedback from the community, we will be able to clearly understand the benefits of, and be able to disseminate culturally targeted materials among this rapidly growing minority group. If, as hypothesized, the addition of the culturally targeted print materials leads to higher rates of colonoscopy, they can then be easily disseminated among health care settings treating Hispanics.

Inclusion criteria

• Self-identified Hispanic
• Between the ages of 50 and 85
• Able to provide informed consent in either English or Spanish
• No participation in study Focus Groups by a family member or oneself
• Referred for a screening colonoscopy by a primary care physician at Mount Sinai
• At average risk for developing colorectal cancer
• Have no colonoscopy procedure within the last 5 years
• Have telephone service

Exclusion criteria

• Personal history of CRC
• Personal history of any chronic GI disorder (irritable bowel syndrome, colitis) and
• Family history of CRC (first degree relative of CRC)