Abstract A17: Improving cancer screening behaviors in Texas-Mexico border communities through targeted screening interventions.

Abstract

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide an increasing proportion of primary care services but have had historically low cancer screening rates for underserved women. This study was conducted to determine whether the Texas Esperanza y Vida project, an ongoing, community based breast and cervical cancer education/screening program increased screening among Hispanic women. Fifty-four women (median age range 50-59) recruited from Gateway Community Health Center (FQHC), Laredo TX which employs a patient centered care model, attended a 2 hour Esperanza y Vida program taught by promotoras and completed a survey at the program and 8 weeks later. Women reported an annual income <10,000 (44.4%), middle school or less education (66%) and insurance status (self-pay 31.7%). Reported mammography and Pap rates during the prior 12 months were high, 68.3% and 76.9% respectively, but 5 year guideline concordant screening rates low (breast 24.1%, cervical 39.2%). Most or all of the breast/cervical information was new to 52.2% of women and 21.2% had never had a mammogram compared to 3.7% for Pap testing. Breast self-exam increased 21% (64.2-85.2%) and mammography 4% (51.9-55.8%) within 8 weeks of attending the program. 77.1% asked their provider about test results and 83.8% of patients received their results from their provider. However, only 21.4% questioned their provider after receiving the results despite perceived strong provider support. Cost was the only significant screening barrier. The Esperanza y Vida program improved screening practices among highly underserved women, increased mammogram screening and can positively affect the patient-provider interaction in short term follow-up.

Citation Format: Thelma C. Hurd, Lourdes Rangel, Thankam Sunil, Virginia Mika-Seguin, Frank Moore, Otila Garcia, Lovell Jones. Improving cancer screening behaviors in Texas-Mexico border communities through targeted screening interventions. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A17.