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The Article in Brief
Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer: Results From a Rural Community Intervention
John M. Westfall , and colleagues
Background Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but rates of colon cancer screening are low. This study examined a community-based participatory approach to increase colon cancer screening in rural northeast Colorado.
What This Study Found The program, which included educational and motivational materials disseminated through local newspapers and other targeted outlets (eg, auction flyers and community organizations), successfully engaged community members and resulted in a modest, though not statistically significant, increase in overall colon cancer screening. Researchers with the High Plains Research Network found a 5 percent increase in the proportion of respondents who reported ever having had any test in the intervention communities compared with no increase among control counties in southeast Colorado. They also found the extent of exposure to intervention materials was associated with a significant and cumulative increase in screening. Community members who reported seeing five or more products were significantly more likely to report having ever been tested or being up to date for colon cancer screening than those who had seen only one component.
Implications
- The authors conclude that the findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a multicomponent community approach to improve colon cancer screening.