Creating alliances to improve cancer prevention and detection among urban medically underserved minority groups

Abstract

The East Harlem Partnership for Cancer Awareness (EHPCA) was formed in 1999 to reduce disparities in cancer screening and prevention among medically underserved minorities residing in a large urban community (East Harlem, New York City) by increasing awareness of cancer risk, prevention, and treatment, and promoting greater participation in breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening and early detection. The Partnership augments a 20-year collaboration between an academic medical center, a public hospital, and 2 community health centers. Needs assessments were conducted to inform program development. Cancer education, outreach, and screening programs were developed based on the PRECEED-PROCEED model for health education and health promotion programming. Needs assessments revealed that although the majority of the population (86%) was insured and had a source of primary care, cancer screening guidelines for breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers were not being followed. Outreach strategies, targeted curricula, educational sessions, and screening programs have been developed and implemented to improve knowledge levels and increase screening participation. The EHPCA is a model of a successful partnership among the public and private sectors to reduce disparities in cancer screening and prevention in a diverse, medically underserved, urban minority community. Future efforts to reduce cancer screening disparities in this population will include patient navigation and improved access to standard-of-care screening such as colonoscopy. Cancer 2006. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Brochure for Latinos: Focus Group Evaluation

“…Through the East Harlem Partnership for Cancer Awareness (EHPCA) [19], a coalition of hospitals, community health centers, and community agencies, we have ongoing efforts to involve underserved minorities (primarily Latinos and African Americans) in cancer awareness and preventive care efforts. We regard community members as collaborators in the development of new studies, educational interventions, and outreach programs.…”

Occurrence of Distal Colorectal Neoplasia Among Whites and Blacks Following Negative Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: An Analysis of PLCO Trial

“…It is unclear what factors are directly associated with the lower uptake of screening and follow-up by blacks, but we speculate that lack of adequate education about cancer prevention may be playing a major role, and low health literacy has been associated with poorer health outcomes. 25,26 We surmise that if the lower uptake of screening and follow-up of screen-detected abnormality was simply due to health insurance and healthcare access issues, there would have been similar uptake for the free repeat FSG among blacks and whites. There is a need to improve healthcare access and utilization among blacks before biological differences in colorectal cancer disparities can be adequately evaluated at the population level.…”

Impact of Age and Comorbidity on Cervical and Breast Cancer Literacy of African Americans, Latina, and Arab Women

“…52-56 Advanced stage of cancer diagnosis has been attributed to lower screening rates, inadequate knowledge about screening guidelines, and delayed followed up for abnormal findings. 57,58 Studies have reported that racial/ethnic minority and low income women are more likely to delay follow-up.…”