Abstract A78: Cancer prevention and risk factors for three minority communities.
Authors: Bain Lisa K. , Edquid Emilie , Nor Sahro , Aguilar Sara , Reyes Maria Lourdes 
Published: August 2014

Rationale: Seven out of ten deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases, including cancer. Substantial differences in incidence, treatment, and preventative and risk factors exist between racial and ethnic groups, with little information for sub-populations like Somalis and Filipinos.

Purpose: In 2011, PCI conducted a needs assessment to gain insight into chronic disease prevention and risk behaviors, and establish baseline statistics for a chronic disease patient navigation program. The purpose of the study was to learn more about prevention and risk factors influencing chronic disease, including cancer and related screenings, amongst Somali, Filipino, and Latino communities in San Diego. The survey was designed to capture demographics, health access, dietary and physical activity habits, barriers to care, as well as a variety of disease prevention and health screening measures.

Methods/Approach: A mixed method approach was used to engage target populations and key stakeholders. A 33-item questionnaire was available and implemented in English, Somali, Tagalog, and Spanish. Respondents (n=383) to the questionnaire were solicited via convenience sample; outreach workers canvassed apartment complexes, grocery stores, and other businesses that target populations were known to frequent. Other methods included focus groups and key stakeholder interviews.

Results/Outcomes: Results of the study reveal significant differences between the populations, in comparison to one another and also to national averages. For example,

• Locally, there were more Asian respondents (47.3%), and fewer Latino (22.5%) and Somali (23.6%) respondents in the “healthy” weight (normal BMI) category than nationally (30.8%).

• While 36.2 percent of adults nationally engaged in no leisure-time physical activity, 21% of Filipino, 41% of Latino, and 6% of Somali respondents engaged in zero days of physical activity each week.

• Among respondents, 7% of Asians, 22% of Latinos, and 1% of Somalis report consuming 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Amongst the Somali respondents, more than 70% reported eating no fruits and vegetables at all each day.

• Nationally 84.5% of women aged 21 to 65 years received a cervical cancer screening based on the most recent (USPSTF) guidelines (pap exam every 3 years); Our Somali respondents were far less likely than other respondents to have EVER received this screening (30.8%). Among female respondent who had ever received a pap exam, 81% of Asian, 80% of Latino, and 88% of Somali women had received it in the past 3 years.

• Nationally, 54.2 % of adults aged 50 to 75 years received a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines in 2008. Latino (36.1%) and Somali (8.8%) respondents to our survey were less likely to have EVER received this cancer screening.

Conclusions/Implications: The findings of this needs assessment indicate the need to invest more in the health of the Asian, Latino and Somali populations in San Diego. Patient navigation services delivered through culturally competent professionals that are able to gain the trust of the community, educate them to make changes in their health behavior and help them understand and access services would likely make a significant impact on the health status of these populations.

PCI accepts sole responsibility for the content included and appearing in this abstract.

Citation Format: Lisa K. Bain, Emilie Edquid, Sahro Nor, Sara Aguilar, Maria Lourdes Reyes. Cancer prevention and risk factors for three minority communities. [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 A78.