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Abstract #156936

Keith Elder, PhD, MPH, MPA¹, Delores Pluto, PhD², Deloris Williams, Phd³, Delores Scott³, Jaclyn Guess⁴, Leslie Cooper, PhD, MPH, BSN, RN⁵, and James Hebert, ScD⁴. (1) Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, 205-996-9808, ktelder@uab.edu, (2) Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, (3) Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, (4) Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, 2221 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205, (5) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, USPHSCC, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 602, Bethesda, MD 20892

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: African Americans suffer a disproportionate burden from cancer. In South Carolina, the disparities are even greater. The overall goal of the NCI-funded South Carolina Cancer Disparities Community Network (SCCDCN) is lessen the burden of cancer in the African American community through partnerships with the African American churches. STUDY DESIGN: Survey data was collected from 19 churches throughout South Carolina on attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles related to cancer. POPULATION STUDIED: The study sample included African American women and men ages 18 years and over. The response rate was 40%, i.e., 735 responses from the 1800 people who were mailed a survey. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The majority of the women responders (79%) had a mammogram in the last 2 years; 98% had a pap smear in the last 5 years; and 30% had never been screened for colorectal cancer. Most men (91%) had a digital rectal exam within the last 5 years; 85% had a PSA within the last 5 years; over 30% had been screened for colorectal cancer. Overall, the majority of respondents reported being overweight or obese; not exercising regularly; and eating less than 5 fruits and vegetables daily. CONCLUSIONS: African-American men and women were likely to report a cancer screening; however, the cancer statistics and the reported screening behavior are not congruent. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY OR PRACTICE: The SCCDCN is well positioned to understand this disconnect through the collaboration with churches and provide evidence that can help direct policy, practice, and delivery to improve cancer rates.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will be able to identify factors that influence productive partnerships with faith based organizations.
• The participant will be understand the cancer screening paterns of African Americans.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.