Colorectal Cancer in Appalachia: Understanding the Burden through Communitybased Initiatives

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Colorectal Cancer in Appalachia Understanding
the Burden through Community-based Initiatives

• Presented by the
• Meigs County Cancer Initiative, Inc.
• Doretta Thomas, CHW
• Angela Carter
• Melissa Thomas

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Coalition Background
Meigs County Cancer Initiative
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The Mission of MCCI

• The Meigs County Cancer Initiative (MCCI) began
  as a result of the high incidence and mortality
  rates of certain cancers in the Appalachia region
  of the country. MCCI focuses on increasing
  awareness, providing education, and promoting
  early detection and prevention of cancer in
• Meigs County, Ohio.

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Acknowledgements

• Diana Coates, Chair
• Carol Adams, Treasurer
• Becky Baer
• Lenora Leifheit
• Melissa Thomas
• Steve Ferguson

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Meigs County Cancer Initiative
The Burden of Cancer
MEIGS COUNTY CANCER INCIDENCE RATES
Source Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance
System, Ohio Department of Health, 2002. Average
annual rate per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000
US standard population. Data did not meet the
standard of 90 complete for 1999 for this
county.
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Meigs County Cancer Initiative
The Burden of Cancer (cont.)
MEIGS COUNTY CANCER INCIDENCE RATES
Source Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance
System, Ohio Department of Health, 2002. Average
annual rate per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000
US standard population. Data did not meet the
standard of 90 complete for 1999 for this
county.
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Meigs County Cancer Initiative
The Burden of Cancer (cont.)
MEIGS COUNTY CANCER MORTALITY RATES
Source Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance
System, Ohio Department of Health, 2002. Average
annual rate per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000
US standard population.
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Meigs County Cancer Initiative
The Burden of Cancer (cont.)
MEIGS COUNTY CANCER MORTALITY RATES
Source Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance
System, Ohio Department of Health, 2002. Average
annual rate per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000
US standard population.
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About Our Study

• Conducted in December 2000
• Survey collection sites local grocery stores
• Powells Super Value Store
• Kroger
• Vaughans Grocery
• Foodland
• Pamida
• Collection Period Two weeks
• December 4-15

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Survey Development

• Adapted from a 10-question online survey
• Developed by Dr. Signey J. Winawer, from Memorial
  Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Multiple-Choice Format
• Included Age, Gender, Address Demographics
• IncentiveDrawing for 100 held prior to the
  holidays

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Results

• 1046 surveys were completed over the two-week
  period!
• After removing duplicates, 1005 surveys remained.
• Key findings
• Underesimated frequency of colorectal cancer
• Overestimated frequency of colorectal screening
  tests
• Thought sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy were annual
  tests
• Majority of participants thought colorectal
  screening tests should begin at age 40

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Designing the Intervention

• Goals
• To increase knowledge of colorectal cancer
• Risk Factors
• Screening Guidelines
• To increase compliance of colorectal cancer
  screening guidelines
• To increase awareness of local resources for
  colorectal cancer screenings
• Medicare for individuals over 60 years of age
• Local clinics/hospitals who provide colorectal
  cancer tests

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Designing the Intervention (cont.)

• The method brochure testing
• NCI brochure on colorectal cancer
• NCI brochure targeted toward Medicare-age
  individuals
• MCCI-developed brochure that targeted weak
  knowledge areas
• Screening test definitions
• Screening guidelines
• Risk factors

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Designing the Intervention (cont.)
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The Process

• Mailed brochures/letters to all intervention
  groups on 9/1/03.
• Six-month delay until T2 survey is mailed.
• Awaiting results of T2 survey
• Have reported findings in community meeting
  forum.

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Final Thoughts

• Completely community-based
• Partnered with local agencies and ACN to maximize
  resources and reduce cost
• Simple research design
• Wanted to test the effectiveness of brochures for
  information dissemination
• Developed original brochure that targeted key
  knowledge areas
• Results will be published in public health
  journals

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Contact Information

• Meigs County Cancer Initiative, Inc.
• PO Box 85
• Pomeroy, OH 45769
• Phone [phone] (Diana Coates)
• 614-544-5287 (Melissa Thomas)
• Email mcci4_at_yahoo.com