title: Changes in colorectal cancer screening intention among people aged 18-49 in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine whether exposure to a peer-led intervention focused on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, physical activity, and multi-vitamin intake can lead to increased intentions to be screened for CRC once age eligible among adults under the age of 50.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were residents of low-income housing sites, and CRC screening intentions were assessed at baseline and at follow-up (approximately 2 years later) to determine changes in screening intentions and factors associated with changes in intentions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (n = 692) were 78.4% female, 42.6% Hispanic and 50.8% black. At follow-up, 51% maintained their intention to be screened and 14.6% newly intended to get screened. Individuals newly intending to get screened were more likely to have participated in the intervention, be older, male, and born in Puerto Rico or the United States compared to those who maintained their intention not to get screened (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to CRC prevention messages before the age of 50 can increase screening intentions among individuals who did not initially intend to get screened. Peer-led interventions to promote CRC screening should include individual less than 50 years of age, as this may contribute to increased screening at the recommended age threshold.
authors.affiliation: Health Studies & Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, 25 West Independence Way, Kingston, RI 02881, USA. mgreaney@mail.uri.edu.
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Greaney
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puleo
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sprunck-Harrild
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Syngal
authors.forename: Elizabeth Gonzalez
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Emmons
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011647:Puerto Rico; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult