Research to Promote Colorectal Screening among Underserved Populations

PHOENIX, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cancer Institute has awarded a $3 million grant to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University to fund research to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among underserved populations. Of cancers that affect both women and men, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the US, according to the most current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The four-year randomized study of 1,600 participants is titled "Navigation from Community to Clinic to Promote CRC Screening among Underserved Populations."  Co-Principal Investigators are ASU Professor Linda Larkey, PhD and Vice Dean and Professor Usha Menon, PhD, College of Nursing at Ohio State University. The study will be conducted in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

According to Associate Dean for Research Elizabeth Reifsnider, PhD, the CRC screening study is an important part of the ASU College's strategic focus on health disparities among underserved populations. "This project is especially noteworthy as it will utilize community-based approaches with great promise for sustainability," Reifsnider said. "Patient navigators can provide the bridge for underserved populations to access potentially life-saving screening."

Screening rates for minorities and low-income populations are low due to lack of or infrequent access to primary care providers that would provide referrals for CRC screening.  Principal Investigators Larkey and Menon said the aim of the research is early diagnosis of colorectal cancer to help reduce morbidity and mortality among these populations.

Two Phases of Study
The purpose of the first phase of the study will be to test the effectiveness of an intervention using "community-to-clinic navigators" to guide individuals aged 50 and over from especially hard-to-reach, multicultural and underinsured populations into primary care clinics to receive referrals for CRC screening.  In the second phase, the impact of the intervention on completion of CRC screening will be examined. Cost-effectiveness analysis will lay the foundation for further evaluation of the dissemination policy potential of the intervention.

The ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation is ranked 21st , or in the top four (4) percent, of graduate nursing programs in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools.
http://nursingandhealth.asu.edu   

SOURCE The ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

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