Bring a comadre: Motivating poor, uneducated and uninsured Latinas for cancer screening

“Bring a comadre” is a peer-based education/motivation program for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening among poor,uneducated,underserved and uninsured populations in Laredo, Texas. The project has been implemented by Mercy Ministries of Laredo and includes: promotora-based outreach through “platicas” in the community and at MML clinics; through direct telephone contact with patients past-due for their breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening; mailed reminder cards and telephone calls to patients when the date for their screening tests approaches; scheduling screening appointments at point of contact in the community; peer-to-peer motivation using a snow-balling strategy getting individuals who have been contacted to bring another person from their family or community who also needs screening services, through the approach “bring a comadre”; partnering with local television stations to air four-county-wide mass media messages using PSA's produced by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio – Institute for Health Promotion Research; and reinforcing messages from clinical nurses and promotoras at every point of contact with the patient, using evidence based, culturally appropriate educational materials. Pre and post evaluation has shown a 10% increase in the proportion of participants who understand the need for cancer screening, a 90% change from ‘no intention' or ‘not sure' to ‘intend' to attend their scheduled appointment, and a 52% compliance with programmed screening appointments. Participants who show more resistance to the program's strategy tend to be older. Younger women show strong intentions to have the exams done when required.