Abstract A19: CASPER the colon: An innovative way to influence colorectal cancer screening.
Authors: Briant Katherine J. , Carosso Elizabeth , Galvan Avigail , Moya Adriana , Espinoza Noah , Islas Ilda , Ibarra Genoveva , Linde Sandra , Thompson Beti 
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Hispanics are an underserved population in terms of cancer screening. In colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, for example, recent national data shows that only 7.8% of Hispanics have had a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the past year compared to 10.3% for non-Hispanic whites . Similarly, rates for CRC screening with endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy within past 5 years or colonoscopy within past 10 years) are 34.6% for Hispanics and 52.7% for non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics have lower CRC screening rates than any other minority group in the U.S. and therefore are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage CRC than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. As a result, Hispanics have poorer survival outcomes from CRC.

Description: In the Lower Yakima Valley of Washington State, a largely rural area with an emphasis on agriculture, a high proportion of the population is Hispanic (~79%). As part of our National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored Community Networks Program Center (CNPC), based on a community needs assessment, we have been emphasizing CRC screening among this population over the last year. In a series of health fairs (N=45), we used a walk-through inflatable colon with physical depictions of polyps and cancers to educate the population about CRC and the importance of early detection through regular screening. Through a collaboration with a local community hospital, we were able to distribute FOBT kits to be analyzed at no charge to the end-user to attendees aged 55 and older.

Data Summary: Within less than a year, over 2000 people have walked through the colon. Over 700 have completed pre- and post-tests on knowledge about CRC as well as intention to be screened for CRC. Significant advances in knowledge were seen (from a combined knowledge score of 0.395 (low) at pre-test to 0.869 (high) at post-test). Similar results were seen for intention to be screened (64.3% likely at pre-test and 75.8% likely at post-test). To date, of the 300 FOBT kits distributed, 202 (67.3%) have been returned for analysis. Of those 7 were abnormal. Various sites in the community have offered low-cost or free colonoscopies for follow-up of the abnormal tests.

Conclusions: Health fairs serve as an effective venue to reach Hispanics in this rural area of Washington State. The use of CASPER the “colossal” colon is an innovative way to attract people to learn about CRC and CRC screening modalities. The response to our distribution of FOBT kits indicates that if given the opportunity for education and access to services, this population will comply with CRC screening.

Citation Format: Katherine J. Briant, Elizabeth Carosso, Avigail Galvan, Adriana Moya, Noah Espinoza, Ilda Islas, Genoveva Ibarra, Sandra Linde, Beti Thompson. CASPER the colon: An innovative way to influence colorectal cancer screening. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.