Abstract 7095: Effectiveness of a breast cancer screening program among non-adherent women in Puerto Rico: A community-based participatory research effort of the Puerto Rico CEAL Community Outreach and Engagement Group
Authors: Norangelys Solis-Torres, Karelys Canales-Birriel, Nashaly Saldana-Santiago, Alondra Mercado-Andino, Christian Rivera-Catala, Cecilia Marino-Nieto, Hector Contreras-Mora, Cynthia Perez, Vivian Colon-Lopez
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer (31%) and the leading cause of cancer death (19%) among women in Puerto Rico. The United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial breast cancer screening by mammography for women aged 40-74. Evidence has documented that Community Health Workers (CHWs) can help increase breast cancer screening rates and improve health equity through community-based approaches. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a CHW-delivered intervention to increase mammography screening among non-adherent Hispanic women in Puerto Rico. Methods: PR-CEAL’s Community Outreach and Engagement Group conducted an island-wide community-based randomized controlled trial from December 2023 to June 2024. Eligible non-adherent women for breast cancer screening aged 50-74 years were recruited. CHWs collected baseline information on participants’ barriers and intentions to schedule an appointment for overdue breast cancer screening using a survey and were randomly assigned to the intervention or a comparison condition. The intervention consisted of a session led by a CHW, where participants received education on breast cancer screening. Participants were randomly allocated into an intervention group, which received information on cancer screening, or a comparison group, which received general health information. Follow-up calls assessed screening status at weeks four and eight, changes in reported barriers, and intent to screen by self-reported confirmation of scheduled appointments. The main outcome variable was having scheduled an appointment for their overdue mammography. Pearson's test was conducted to evaluate the association of having scheduled an appointment among intervention groups. Results: A total of 89 participants were recruited with an overall median age of 59 (range 55-63) years. Women who received the intervention were RR=1.08 (95% CI: 0.35-3.36) times more likely to report having a higher intent to screen in comparison to the control group; however, the magnitude of this effect was not statistically significant, p-value = 0.898. A positive trend in intent to screen was observed over three time points: baseline (10%), first follow-up (16%), and second follow-up (20%), p-value=0.115. Conclusion: The intervention demonstrated a positive influence of CHWs on mammography appointment scheduling, but the effect was not statistically significant. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further increase power size estimations and evaluate the impact of CHW-mediated initiatives for cancer prevention and screening promotion in community-based settings. Citation Format: Norangelys Solis-Torres, Karelys Canales-Birriel, Nashaly Saldana-Santiago, Alondra Mercado-Andino, Christian Rivera-Catala, Cecilia Marino-Nieto, Hector Contreras-Mora, Cynthia Perez, Vivian Colon-Lopez. Effectiveness of a breast cancer screening program among non-adherent women in Puerto Rico: A community-based participatory research effort of the Puerto Rico CEAL Community Outreach and Engagement Group [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7095.