Improving colorectal cancer screening by using community volunteers: results of the Carolinas cancer education and screening (CARES) project.
BACKGROUND
The goal of the Carolinas Cancer Education and Screening (CARES) Project was to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among low-income women in subsidized housing communities in 11 cities in North and South Carolina who were traditionally underserved by cancer control efforts.


METHODS
Cross-sectional samples were randomly selected from housing authority lists at 5 timepoints in this nonrandomized community-based intervention study. Face-to-face interviews focused on CRC knowledge, beliefs, barriers to screening, and screening behaviors. The intervention components were based on a previous evidence-based program.


RESULTS
A total of 2098 surveys were completed. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents were African American, 62% were 65+ years, and 4% were married. At baseline, the rate of CRC screening within guidelines was 49.3% and physician recommendation was the strongest predictor (odds ratio [OR] = 21.9) of being within guidelines. There was an increase in positive beliefs about CRC screening (P = .010) and in the intention to complete CRC screening in the next 12 months (P = .053) after the intervention. The odds of being within CRC screening guidelines for women living in a city that had received the intervention were not significantly different from women living in a city that had not received the intervention (P = .496).


CONCLUSIONS
Although CRC screening rates were not significantly better after the intervention, there was a positive change in beliefs about screening and intention to be screened. The results suggest that the dissemination of an evidence-based behavioral intervention may require a longer duration to engage hard-to-reach populations and change behaviors.
Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. mira.katz@osumc.edu
Mira L
ML
Katz
Cathy
C
Tatum
Stephanie L
SL
Dickinson
David M
DM
Murray
Kristie
K
Long-Foley
M Robert
MR
Cooper
Morgan
M
Daven
Electra D
ED
Paskett
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D014838:Volunteers; D016387:Women's Health