Project PREVENT: a randomized trial to reduce multiple behavioral risk factors for colon cancer.
BACKGROUND
This report examines the outcome data for Project PREVENT, a two-site randomized control trial designed to reduce behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer among individuals who have been diagnosed with adenomatous colon polyps.


METHODS
The study sample included 1,247 patients with recent diagnosis of adenomatous colorectal polyps. Within 4 weeks following the polypectomy, participants completed a baseline survey by telephone, and were randomized to either Usual Care (UC) or the PREVENT intervention, which was designed to target multiple risk factors. The intervention consisted of a telephone-delivered intervention plus tailored materials, and focused on the six primary behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer, including red meat consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, multivitamin intake, alcohol, smoking, and physical inactivity.


RESULTS
Participation in the PREVENT intervention was associated with a significantly greater reduction in prevalence of multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer compared with UC. Only about one third of UC participants dropped any risk factors during the study period, compared with almost half of the PREVENT participants. PREVENT participants were also significantly more likely to change more than one behavior than UC participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The PREVENT intervention was effective in helping patients change multiple risk factors. These results provide further support that more comprehensive interventions that move beyond emphasis on a single risk factor are acceptable to patient populations, can result in improvements, and are cost effective.
Emmons
Karen M
KM
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Community-Based Research, 44 Binney Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. karen_m_emmons@dfci.harvard.edu
McBride
Colleen M
CM
Puleo
Elaine
E
Pollak
Kathryn I
KI
Clipp
Elizabeth
E
Kuntz
Karen
K
Marcus
Bess H
BH
Napolitano
Melissa
M
Onken
Jane
J
Farraye
Frank
F
Fletcher
Robert
R
D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013689:Telephone