MaryEllen Conn, MS¹, Carol Mangone, PhD, CHES², Irene Tessaro, DrPH², and Irfan Parkar, MBBS, MPH². (1) Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, P. O. Box 9350, Morgantown, WV 26506, (304)293-0486, mconn@hsc.wvu.edu, (2) Community Health Initiatives, School of Nursing, West Virginia University, 3040 University Avenue, P.O. Box 6275, Morgantown, WV 26506

Only about a quarter of eligible adults in West Virginia are currently screened for colorectal cancer. Through the channel of sixteen churches representing six denominations, we combined two approaches: natural helpers and parish nursing to address colorectal cancer screening in faith communities in Appalachian region. A natural helper approach targeted change primarly at the social network level, using lay leaders to diffuse health information, provide social support for behavior change, and promote social and environemtnal changes that promote health. Parish nurses provide education and counseling to church members using professional nursing skills and promote communication and resource links with the health care system. Focus groups were conducted at each church with both men and women age 50 and older about the knowledge, barriers and facilitators for making changes for colorectal cancer control. Barriers frequently cited for non-adherenceincluded lack of knolwedge of sceening tests, Lack of health insurance, fear, embarrassment and test preparation. Results from the focus group analysis will be presented and discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Participants will be able to identify the barriers to colorectal screening
• 2. Participants will understand the importance of qualitiative data in research design

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.