Abstract B045: Colorectal cancer screening education intervention for Chamoru and Filipinos in Guam and Hawai‘i: Recommendations for culturally and age relevant education
Authors: Diaz Tressa P. , Sy Angela , Funakoshi Jena , Elmore Elizabeth , Camacho Santino , Peralta Alisa , Rollon Marc 
Published: September 2024

Background. Pacific Islanders and Filipinos have low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Filipinos in the US territory of Guam and the state of Hawai‘i comprise one of the largest ethnic racial groups in these locations, and CHamoru (Chamorro) in Guam constitute a majority of the population. The CRC age-adjusted mortality rate in Guam (17.3) is higher than the overall US (14.2) with a high rate among CHamoru (23.2). In Guam 45.6% of persons aged 45 and above have met USPSTF screening standards while in Hawai‘i Filipinos have the lowest CRC screening rates (69.9%) among Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic subgroups. Interventions to increase CRC screening in these populations are limited. This study explores recommendations for culturally relevant components of a CRC screening education intervention for CHamoru and Filipinos in Guam and Hawai‘i aged 40 and above. Methods. Qualitative methods employed focus groups (FG) and key informant interviews (KII) to facilitate storytelling, creating a familiar and safe space for knowledge, cultural beliefs, and screening education recommendations. Respective community councils advised on the study. A common FG and KII semi-structure guide was implemented. Purposive and snowball sampling was utilized. FGs were age and gender specific, e.g., men in their 40s, women aged 50+, etc. Three levels of thematic coding were performed using Dedoose and included input from community councils. Coding teams comprised of 3 coders compared for corroboration and recoding continued until coders reached agreement. Results: Five FGs and 12 KIIs (N=37) were conducted with persons aged 40 and above. Participants were CHamoru (46%), Filipino (59%), female (59%), and male (41%). In Guam CRC prevention preferences varied by age and gender; those in their 40s preferred culturally tailored video and less preference for an online module compared to groups age 50, and men identified the need for more awareness and outreach. Filipinos in Hawai‘i were not aware of CRC and prevention prioritizing economic obligations (job) over seeking health services. The preferred characteristics of culturally tailored CRC prevention education in Guam and Hawai‘i were trusted knowledge sources to deliver information, storytelling as a format, and involving families. Participants in Guam also preferred online sources while Hawai‘i preferred all types of media in Filipino languages. Conclusion. CHamoru and Filipinos in Guam and Hawai‘i are receptive to family as a source of information and support for CRC prevention, and hearing personal stories motivates CRC screening. Findings give insight toward age-and culturally-tailored CRC screening education with site specific preferences. Findings will be used to develop family-focused interventions for CHamoru and Filipinos to improve CRC screening.

Citation Format: Tressa P. Diaz, Angela Sy, Jena Funakoshi, Elizabeth Elmore, Santino Camacho, Alisa Peralta, Marc Rollon. Colorectal cancer screening education intervention for Chamoru and Filipinos in Guam and Hawai‘i: Recommendations for culturally and age relevant education [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 B045.