Testing to prevent colon cancer: how rural community members took on a community-based intervention.
Participatory research can elevate research relevance and effectiveness. The literature contains few first-hand descriptions of community members engaged in research. In 2003, the High Plains Research Network convened a Community Advisory Council (CAC) that quickly began providing input, feedback, innovation, and dissemination efforts. After receiving a participatory research grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aimed at increasing colorectal cancer screening, the CAC participated in an intensive training on colon cancer prevention and spent 6 months developing a locally relevant intervention-Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer. CAC members participated in all aspects of the research including intervention messaging, survey design, recruitment, implementation, analysis and interpretation of data, and dissemination of results including presentations at national venues and coauthoring manuscripts. Our experience attests to the power of participatory research in efforts to improve health outcomes.
High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council, Denver, Colorado.
Ned
N
Norman
Shirley
S
Cowart
Maret
M
Felzien
Connie
C
Haynes
Mike
M
Hernandez
Mary Petra
MP
Rodriquez
Norah
N
Sanchez
Sergio
S
Sanchez
Kathy
K
Winkelman
Steve
S
Winkelman
Rebecca
R
Van Vorst
Linda
L
Zittleman
John M
JM
Westfall
D026683:Advisory Committees; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003120:Colorado; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011634:Public Health; D012424:Rural Population
attitudes; colon cancer; health campaigns; health knowledge; participatory research; practice; practice-based research; public health