Colorectal cancer: Educational intervention and dissemination study: Enhancing early colorectal cancer screening in African Americans

The purposes of this project were to (1) launch an intensive educational intervention program to educate, motivate, and empower urban and rural African Americans, age 50 and older, to make proactive decisions about their health care, and (2) alleviate barriers limiting access to the health care system for colorectal cancer screening.

Two hundred and fifty African American men and women 50 years of age and older were surveyed regarding their knowledge, health practices, and attitudes about colorectal cancer. Participants were provided a four week intervention, which included education about colorectal cancer.

Preliminary findings indicated that African American participants lacked knowledge about the various screening options for colorectal cancer. They also lacked the funds to participate in early screening for colorectal cancer. Modest improvements in health care practices, attitudes, and knowledge, the intervention were achieved. Follow-up strategies may have assisted to motivate more participants to obtain early screenings.

More local and national attention should be directed toward improving the dissemination of information and changing the health care practices and attitudes about colorectal cancer among the African American population. Participants may improve their health care practices, seek medical care earlier, and understand how to interact with health care professionals to obtain the appropriate screening procedures to minimize and prevent colorectal cancer. The lack of funds to participate in early screening tests was a critical concern among program participants. A policy should be in place to require third party insurance companies and Medicaid/Medicare to pay for early colorectal cancer screenings, particularly colonoscopy.