Latino colorectal cancer screening rates are less than optimal (46.5% have been screened) compared to federal benchmarks (70.5%) and non-Hispanic Whites (60%). Latino men in particular have a 17% lower screening rate compared to non-Latino men.

This study used community health workers to recruit Latino men (ages > 50 who have never been screened for colorectal cancer) and offer educational sessions, navigation support, and no-cost stool blood tests and/or colonoscopies. The study partnered with three community-based organizations and a federally qualified health center.

To date, we have enrolled 262 eligible men (mean age: 57 + 5.3) who are uninsured (91%), employed (57%), and have an annual household income < $20,000 (77%). Most were born in Mexico (65%), speak Spanish (64%), and have < high school education (63%). Baseline analyses indicate at least 60% of men correctly identified starting age (> 50) and frequency (annual) for stool blood testing. However, 69% equated cancer with death and 35% felt no control over their chances of getting cancer. One hundred thirty two (50%) of enrolled men have received a colorectal cancer screening test. Of the remaining 130, 20 were lost-to-follow-up, refused further follow-up, or missed >3 appointments and the rest reported scheduling conflicts on clinic days. Preliminary analyses suggest that compared to men who have been screened, non-screened men have higher employment rates, are less likely to have seen a doctor in the past year, and exhibit no changes in knowledge/beliefs from baseline to follow-up.

Although the study has steadily enrolled and educated men (with support from spouses) on colorectal cancer risk factors, screening guidelines, and the benefits of early detection, our findings are consistent with other studies that find low colorectal cancer screening rates among Latino men. Future research is needed to better understand screening behavior and explore effective methods of increasing screening behavior in Latino men.

Citation Format: Cynthia M. Mojica, Yuanyuan Liang, Christina M. Carmona. Latino men enrolled in a clinical and health education collaborative for colorectal cancer screening. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A44.

©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.
2015