Innovative Approaches in Providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Cancer Education to the Diverse Asian American Community

Cancer is the number one killer for Asian Americans. In Montgomery County, Maryland, Asian Americans are a vastly growing minority group. They have the lowest cancer screening rates and face the highest linguistic isolation rate of 40%, when compared to Latino and African Americans. Numerous factors impede cancer screenings such as lack of awareness, language barriers, and lack of culturally tailored programs to promote the importance of early detection.

In order to serve this diverse community, the Cancer Program of the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) under Montgomery County DHHS, was developed to increase awareness about the targeted cancers (colorectal, prostate, breast and cervical) by providing culturally and linguistically competent cancer education and screening services to Asian Americans. In order to effectively educate the community, cancer education and client care coordination are delivered through Health Promoters, bilingual community members that assist in gaining entry into various Asian American communities.

Through variegated approaches, the AAHI's Cancer Program strives to overcome the obstacles faced in obtaining health care. As a result, the Cancer Program has multiple translated educational materials and cancer screening applications, offers Health Promoters to help navigate clients through outreaches and screening appointments, reduce barriers to transportation with free taxi vouchers, and provides follow ups with clients. Since July 2007, more than 483 people have been educated on cancer and 99 people were referred for screenings. The strategies the AAHI Cancer Program has taken to reduce cancer disparities have helped serve the needs of Asian Americans in Montgomery County.