Abstract A129: So much of everything is rooted and caring for the family:” Community-Informed Colorectal Cancer Screening Education Recommendations for Filipinos in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Funakoshi Jena , Peralta Alisa , Rollon Marc , Diaz Tressa P. , Sy Angela 
Published: September 2024

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in Hawai‘i is higher than the U.S. with the highest age-adjusted rates among Filipinos. Among Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic subgroups in Hawaiʻi, Filipinos have the lowest CRC screening rates (69.9) compared to Japanese (82.0), and Native Hawaiians (73.3). Majority of CRC diagnoses can be prevented by CRC screening. This qualitative pilot study examined descriptive cognitive and cultural beliefs associated with CRC and screening and recommendations for culturally relevant prevention to reach Filipinos in Hawaiʻi. Methods. Key informant interviews were conducted in English with Ilokano translation when needed. Questions covered participants' knowledge about CRC and screening and their preferences in receiving CRC prevention education. Interviews lasted 15-30 minutes and were transcribed verbatim. Using Dedoose, two coders used inductive thematic coding. Codes were compared for corroboration, a referee was included when needed, and recoding continued until coders reached agreement. Results. Eleven females and three males (N=12) aged 50+ who identified as Filipino were interviewed. A total of 293 codes were created under 12 primary themes, e.g., “CRC attitudes and beliefs,” “family,” “culture-deterrents.” Common themes across interviewees were : 1) Health is not a priority 2) Family as motivation 3) No/limited knowledge of colorectal cancer 4) Education preferred through personal experiences and familiar relationships. Knowledge of CRC was low (N=9/12). Healthcare is often deprioritized due to cultural beliefs (N=11/12), busy schedules (N=8/12), fear of diagnosis (N=8/12), and, with economic pressures leading participants to prioritize work over health (N=8/12). However, strong familial motivations drive participants to take preventive health measures to avoid burdening their loved ones (N=7/12). Culturally tailored CRC prevention education programs should incorporate language and cultural relatability (n=10/12), storytelling (N=9/12),, and trusted medical authority (N=8/12).Conclusion. Addressing the identified barriers (limited knowledge) and leveraging strong family values will foster participation in CRC screening and participation in programs promoting screening. Personable and culturally tailored education that fosters emotional and relatable connections encourages participants' motivation and understanding of CRC to effectively reach Filipino communities in Hawaiʻi. Findings provide insight toward developing novel, culturally tailored interventions for Filipino families to increase CRC screening participation in this Asian community who experience screening disparities.

Citation Format: Jena Funakoshi, Alisa Peralta, Marc Rollon, Tressa P. Diaz, Angela Sy. So much of everything is rooted and caring for the family:” Community-Informed Colorectal Cancer Screening Education Recommendations for Filipinos in Hawaiʻi [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 A129.