Evaluation of the Community Patient Navigation Program within the Community Education and Outreach Initiative (CEOI)

Introduction: Black women in the United States experience disproportionate breast cancer mortality. This phenomenon may be due in part to delays in diagnosis and delays in the initiation of treatment. Culturally-appropriate community education on breast health coupled with the availability of low cost mammography screening services may help improve the use of mammography screening. The Avon Foundation Community Patient Navigation Program in Atlanta, Georgia seeks to fill this need by delivering community education and helping individuals overcome financial barriers to mammography screening. This study presents process evaluation data for this portion of the program. Methods: Trained and uniformed Community Patient Navigators (PNs) host events where they recruit community members to complete a mammography interest form. Information provided on this form is used to triage community members to either diagnostic or screening mammograms and provides necessary contact information to facilitate follow-up. Participants are referred to a nurse practitioner who determines eligibility for a free or low-cost mammogram. The Community PN continues to deliver telephone follow-up to encourage participants to make and keep their mammogram appointments. Results: For the study period August 18, 2008-December 31, 2009, a total of 336 breast health presentations and exhibits were hosted by Community PNs reaching 14, 815 community members. Four hundred fifty-eight (458) women were screened at these events; 85 women (19%) went on to receive a mammogram at Grady Health System and were linked to breast cancer treatment as needed. Conclusions: Community patient navigation is a useful resource for encouraging mammography screening among underserved women.