Enhancing Cancer Prevention and Control Pathways-Native Health Initiative

Overview

There are continued disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival between American Indians (AIs) and Whites on cancers responsive to early screening (i.e., breast, colorectal, and cervical) in the US. In New Mexico (NM), AIs compared with other racial/ethnic populations are significantly less likely to adhere to recommended screening guidelines. The purpose of this trial is to develop and pilot test multilevel/multicomponent intervention strategies to enhance screening for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers.

There are continued disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival between American Indians (AIs) and Whites on cancers responsive to early screening (i.e., breast, colorectal, and cervical) in the US. Between 1990-2009, based on data from Contract Health Service Delivery Area Counties across the US, the mortality-to-incidence ratios for these cancers were significantly higher for American Indian/Alaska Natives compared to Whites (breast: 1.22, colorectal: 1.16, cervix: 1.36), indicating poorer survival. New Mexico (NM) AIs also experience substantial cancer disparities. Between 2010-2014, AIs compared to Whites had higher incidence (per 100,000) for cervical (7.9 vs. 6.9) and colorectal (male: 46.5 vs. 35.2; female: 29.2 vs. 28.2) cancers, and higher mortality for cervical (3.7 vs. 1.3) and colorectal (males only; 18.9 vs. 15.6) cancers. AIs were more likely to receive a late-stage (i.e., regional or distant) cancer diagnosis for all 3 screen detectable cancers. AIs have some of the lowest cancer screening rates compared with other racial/ethnic groups. In NM, AIs listed in the Indian Health Service (IHS) Albuquerque Area have substantially lower screening rates than the state's White population do. AIs had screening rates of: breast (58.5%, women ages 52-64), colorectal (41.9%, ages 50-75), and cervical (63.9%, women ages 24-64) cancers; whereas, screening rates for Whites were: breast (70.0%, ages 50-74), colorectal (69.2%, ages 50-75), and cervical (77.8%, women 21-65) The overall objective is to develop and pilot test culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions to enhance age- and risk-appropriate breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening in concordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended guidelines Aim 3 (Focus Groups, Descriptive): Qualitative documentation of perspectives on cancer control needs in the Zuni Pueblo Protocol: Aim 3 (Focus Groups, Descriptive): Qualitative documentation of perspectives on cancer control needs in the Zuni Pueblo 1. Research Design: Focus groups that gather qualitative (descriptive) perspectives and insights from a small group of participants 2. Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo 3. Participant identification and sampling: Non-probability sampling 4. Procedures: The investigators will contact interested participants for focus group sessions 5. Primary Outcome: Knowledge about, barriers and support for, and communication about breast, cervix, and colorectal cancers 6. Data Analysis: Thematic analyses of transcripts of the focus group discussions 7. Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll about 8-10 participants per focus group Aim 4 (Community Survey, Descriptive): Documentation of perspectives on cancer control needs in the Zuni Pueblo Protocol: Aim 4 (Community Survey, Descriptive): Documentation of perspectives on cancer control needs in the Zuni Pueblo 1. Research Design: Cross-sectional 2. Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo 3. Participant identification and sampling: The sampling strategy for the Community Survey includes random sampling of streets, strategic convenience sampling, and snowball sampling. 4. Procedures: The investigators will implement the Community Survey among interested and eligible participants. Participants will complete surveys documenting cancer control needs for breast, cervix, or colorectal cancers. Women aged 50-75 will be surveyed on breast, cervix, and colorectal cancers; women aged 21-49 will be surveyed on cervix cancer, and men aged 50-75 will be surveyed on colorectal cancer 5. Primary Outcome: Self-reported screening behaviors for breast, colorectal, and cervix cancers 6. Data Analysis: Descriptive analysis of survey data 7. Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll about 300 participants Aim 8 (INT, Pilot Test). Pilot test multilevel/multicomponent interventions on screening outcomes Protocol. Aim 8 (INT, Pilot Test): Pilot Test Effectiveness of the Multilevel/Multicomponent Intervention \[INT\] 1. Research Design: One-group, pre-INT/post-INT 2. Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo 3. Randomization: Non-randomized, convenience sampling 4. Participant Identification and Sampling: The investigators will identify and contact participants who had previously expressed interest in participating in the pilot testing of any of the 3 cancer-specific INTs 5. Interventions: Educational and behavioral INTs on cancers of the breast, colorectal, and cervix 6. Procedures: The investigators will contact interested participants and redetermine eligibility. Eligible participants will complete baseline (pre-INT) and post-INT surveys about 6-8 months after receiving the INT(s). The surveys will be administered in-person or over the phone and will last approximately 20-30 minutes 7. Implementation of the INTs: The investigators could operationalize recommended strategies that may plausibly include strategies to: To increase community access, the investigators could: (a) Identify a point-person at the health center who will triage participants to and schedule them for appropriate screening(s). (b) Remind participants to complete their screening exam(s), offer assistance in scheduling a screening appointment and a ride to the health center. These strategies would reduce administrative barriers, navigate participants, and assist with transportation and in scheduling an appointment. To increase community demand, the investigators could consider: (a) Educational materials. (b) 1-on-1 education. (c) Cognitive-behavioral group education and incentives. To increase provider delivery, the investigators could: (a) Reduce health center-specific systemic barriers by identifying a point-person to promote and facilitate screening services 8. Baseline and Post-intervention Surveys: The investigators will collect data on demographics, self-reported receipt of a cancer-specific screening exam, self-reported scheduling of an appointment to obtain a cancer-specific screening exam, or self-reported attempt to make an appointment for a cancer-specific screening exam 9. Primary Outcome: Self-reported receipt of a screening exam, or scheduling an appointment for a screening exam, or self-reported attempt to make an appointment for a screening exam. Cancer-specific screening exams include FOBT/FIT/Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer, or mammogram for breast cancer 10. Data Analysis: The investigators will compute the count of participants who self-reported receipt of a screening exam, scheduling an appointment for a screening exam, or attempt to make an appointment for a screening exam. These analyses will be presented by age/sex strata. Men age 45-75 for colorectal cancer screening; women 45-75 for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening; and women 21-49 for cervical cancer screening 11. Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll a total of 120 participants