Community-Based Screening Interventions for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

This review examines issues related to population-based colorectal cancer screening and strategies to increase screening levels for all clients, particularly the elderly. Because cancer survival is inversely related to the stage of cancer at the time of detection and the costs of screening are less than the costs of treatment, screening levels are used increasingly as a measure of high-quality health care. Patients in acute and primary care settings underestimate their risk and overestimate their screening; providers also overestimate the level of screening in their patients. Strategies to increase patients' completion of screening include speaking directly with patients in the office, making follow-up telephone calls, and using behavioral health education strategies. Provider issues that may act as barriers to the completion of screenings also are discussed. Special concerns related to diverse populations (including immigrants) include issues regarding language and dialect, the appropriate use of interpreters, and the reading level of educational materials.

Key Words:

• Colorectal cancer screening
• community
• health education
• recruitment