Abstract B050: Health and faith in the Korean community: Increasing breast and colorectal cancer education and screening in Los Angeles
Authors: Kim Dong Hee , Sung Min Jung , Kim Moon Ju , Lee Jeong Yup , Balingit Reener , Surani Zul 
Published: September 2024

Background: Koreatown in Los Angeles is home to over 115 churches within 3 miles. Korean churches are sanctuaries that provide support and nurture social connections, especially among Korean immigrants with limited English proficiency, who face challenges in accessing cancer care, including language barriers, lack of health insurance, and fears associated with cancer screening procedures and treatments. Koreans experience higher incidence and prevalence rates of breast and colorectal cancers compared to non-Hispanic White and other Asian subgroups, respectively. To address this, a Health and Faith Initiative was launched in 2018, utilizing evidence-based strategies recommended by Center for Disease Control and Prevention Community Guide and the use of a Cancer 101 curriculum developed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. METHODS: A three-stage Partnership Development Framework (networking, education, program and research development) was used to grow deep connections and sustainable cancer screening programs with church pastors and leaders, patient navigators, Federally Qualified Health Centers, State Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program providers, Diagnostic facilities, Hospitals and Community Outreach and Engagement staff. Bi- lingual church leaders was selected by pastors and elders at churches were trained as lay community navigators to conduct cancer education workshops using a Cancer 101 curriculum, as well as to support for church member to navigate across the cancer continuum. Church pastors and community health clinics determine outreach, engagement, and research priorities through active participation in Community Advisory Board and research studies. The initiative is sustained through coordination of 2 outreach staff and financial assistance from community benefit and research grants at Cedars Sinai Cancer Center. RESULTS: From June 2023 to May 2024, Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) have led the coordination of 6 breast cancer health education workshops and screening events with 165 people screened (128 screening mammograms, 37 diagnostic mammograms & ultra sounds) in partnership with Koryo Health Foundation. Two patients were diagnosed with breast cancer and were referred to Cedars Sinai for treatment. For colorectal cancer, 8 health education workshops were conducted, and 122 Fit Kits were distributed with 72 kits returned, a 59% return rate. Cancer education workshops using American Cancer Society cancer screening guidelines for breast, colorectal, prostate, cervical, lung cancer has reached 810 people during 5 tabling events. Those who were not up to date were referred to our partnered health clinics for screening. CONCLUSION: Engaging Korean church leaders and training community navigators is an effective outreach strategy to build long-lasting partnership for successful implementation of cancer screening interventions but also support patients in needed follow up care that help immigrant populations to navigate across the cancer continuum.

Citation Format: Dong Hee Kim, Min Jung Sung, Moon Ju Kim, Jeong Yup Lee, Reener Balingit, Zul Surani. Health and faith in the Korean community: Increasing breast and colorectal cancer education and screening in Los Angeles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B050.