Abstract B83: Development of a cancer coalition to promote colorectal cancer screening in rural underserved communities in New Mexico
Authors: Sanchez Janeth I. , Arnold Lynn , Armistead Daniel , Dorado Diana , Lucero Tara , Sanders Cliff , Scappaticci Frances , Washburn Tim , Diaz Yolanda , Thompson Beti , O'Connell Mary 
Published: May 2016

Introduction: Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the US; colorectal cancer (CRC) for example, has high incidence and mortality rates, even though much CRC is preventable. The rates of preventable cancers could be reduced through the promotion of early detection and screening. However, providing access to screening services to rural underserved communities, such as those found along the US – Mexico border can be difficult. Developing multidisciplinary collaborative screening efforts may expand the reach of regional healthcare services. Specifically, cancer coalitions have the potential to advance culturally competent health promotion programs because they include locally vested organizations and individuals working together to build a foundation for health promotion and social change. This study established the Southern New Mexico Cancer Coalition (SNMCC) to promote CRC education and increase access to CRC screening in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Methods: Organizations and individuals from southern NM came together to address low CRC screening rates, a leading health concern in the state. SNMCC was created in October 2014 and included members representing New Mexico State University (NMSU), a local cancer center and endoscopy center, 2 federally qualified health centers (FQHC) who participated in the state CRC Control program, and a local community organization whose mission is to provide financial assistance to cancer patients in the county. Over a period of six months, the SNMCC planned and implemented a multi-component screening program that included the distribution of fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) in two regions of Doña Ana County, NM. The FITs were distributed by the Community Health Educator at NMSU and by promotoras de salud from the two FQHC's throughout February 2015. Individuals who received the FITs were asked to complete the tests and return them at the March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Day event held at a community center in southern Doña Ana County and at a church in northern Doña Ana County. All individuals who completed the test were entered into the FQHC's CRC Control Program and those with positive FITs were navigated to schedule colonoscopies. Results: A total of 100 FITs were distributed in Doña Ana County (50 in the southern sector and 50 in the northern sector) and had a 75% screening rate. In the southern sector of the county, 34 individuals completed and returned FITs at the event and at follow-up at the clinic. Of these, three were positive for blood in the stool; two of these received a follow-up colonoscopy. In the northern sector, a total of 41 individuals completed and returned FITs. Of these, 4 were positive for blood in the stool; three of these individuals received a follow-up colonoscopy, and have follow-up appointments scheduled for the colonoscopy results. Discussion: CRC continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in NM. Health promotion and prevention programs have the potential to address and reduce CRC incidence and mortality rates by promoting screening in regions where CRC screening is underutilized. Community-research collaborative efforts are crucial in increasing access to such healthcare and screening services and assist in closing the gaps in cancer health disparities found in the region. The development of the SNMCC was a comprehensive public health response to a major cancer issue affecting communities in southern NM. These coordinated efforts to promote colorectal cancer screening and improve access to cancer control programs had high screening rates (75%), identified at risk individuals at a high frequency, ~ 10% and navigated at risk individuals to treatment and further care. This program therefore has the potential to reduce CRC incidence and mortality among minority and underserved populations.

Citation Format: Janeth I. Sanchez, Lynn Arnold, Daniel Armistead, Diana Dorado, Tara Lucero, Cliff Sanders, Frances Scappaticci, Tim Washburn, Yolanda Diaz, Beti Thompson, Mary O'Connell. Development of a cancer coalition to promote colorectal cancer screening in rural underserved communities in New Mexico. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B83.