title: A grey literature review of special events for promoting cancer screenings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in the United States. Special events such as health fairs, screening days or cultural festivals are employed often for community education about cancer screening. A previous systematic review of the published literature was conducted in 2012-2013. The purpose of this study was to conduct a grey literature component of special events that promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in the U.S.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a grey literature search of dissertations/theses and conference abstracts. The theses/dissertations were restricted to those: 1) written in English, 2) published from January 1990 to December 2011, 3) examined at least one of the predefined categories of special events, 4) involved cancer screening for breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer, 5) included outcome data, and 6) conducted in the United States. A review of U.S. public health and cancer conference abstracts, that were readily available and had focused on at least of 3 cancer types and included outcome data, was conducted. Data were abstracted on the purpose, location, primary audience(s), activities conducted, screening provided onsite or referrals, and evaluation results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The grey literature review found 6 special events. The types of events found added to the numbers found in the systematic review, especially receptions or parties and cultural festivals/events. All focused on increasing breast and cervical cancer screening except one that focused on breast cancer only. The reach of these events was targeted at mostly minorities or underserved communities. Common evidence-based strategies were group education, small media, and reducing structural barriers. Group education involved presentations from physicians, lay-health advisors, or cancer survivors, while reducing structural barriers included activities such as providing screening appointment sign-ups at the event or providing transportation for event participants. Mammogram screening rates ranged from 6.8% to 60% and Pap tests from 52% to 70%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further evaluation of special events to promote cancer screening will prove their effectiveness. A grey literature review can augment a systematic review of published literature. Additional data about these events through the grey literature offered additional insights into the goals, intervention components and outcomes of interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. cescoff@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Cam
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Escoffery
authors.forename: Kirsten C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kegler
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinsker
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haardörfer
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology