Exploring Cancer Screening in the Context of Unmet Mental Health Needs: A Participatory Pilot Study

Abstract

Background-Cancer is the leading cause of preventable death in the Bronx, New York. Service providers in this mental health provider shortage area identified untreated mental illness as an important barrier to participation in cancer screening, a finding that supports existing literature. The Mental Health and Cancer (MHC) Connection partnership formed to investigate and address this issue.

Structuring Health in Colorectal Cancer Screening Conversations: An Analysis of Intersecting Activity Systems

“…Much existing research has emphasized individual choice in behavior and individual responsibility for healthcare and preventive screenings, such as by emphasizing evidence-based care and individual stages of decision making (e.g., Jensen et al, 2014; Taylor, 2009). However, recent research points to the need to include social and cultural elements when designing behavior interventions because peoples’ abilities to take desired actions vary depending on socio-cultural and socio-economic factors (e.g., Alden et al, 2015; Blanch-Hartigan & Viswanath, 2015; Williams et al, 2013). …”