From 1998 to 2004 the Texas Cancer Council (TCC) funded the Consejeras for Screening Education and Resource Management, a Colorectal Cancer Model a multi-faceted Colorectal Cancer project aimed at the community and CRC high-risk populations in the El Paso area and 11 Counties in Rural West Texas. Trained community health educators, Consejeras/Promotoras delivered the health awareness message to the entire community in order to promote early detection through screening and awareness of Colorectal Cancer, adenomatous polyps and risk factors. The Consejeras/Promotoras educated community and family members about colorectal cancer risk factors like personal and family history, gender, race and age, and addressed barriers to screening. These Consejeras/Promotoras also served as advocates for diagnosed cancer patients and their families who needed treatment and support, teaching and empowering them on how to use available community resources to overcome barriers to accessing services and treatment. Through this grant a community survey information was developed to create a model to address education needs and access issues, (financial, cultural and institutional), for patients with family history or aged fifty and over in need of colorectal screening through the use of (e.g. FOBT, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy).
Outcome: An active advisory board group formed with representatives from the American Cancer Society, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso, Centro de Salud Familiar San Vicente, Bienestar Familiar, Project Vida, Pan American Health Organization El Paso Field Office, and the El Paso Surgical Associates, provided support and technical assistance in the development of educational materials, survey tools and outreach education strategies. A train-the-trainer colorectal cancer curriculum and promotora education manual were developed, both English and Spanish. Three promotoras/consejeras and one case manager worked under this project to deliver one-to-one and group CRC prevention education, navigation to screening and case management services. Program staff coordinated 90 group presentations and attended 77 health fairs and other community events. A total of 8,300 men and women received multiple services such as: one-to-one and group promotora delivered-CRC prevention education, newsletters, FOBT kits, navigation and case management services.
A total of 3,500 individuals were identified as overdue for CRC screening either because they have never been screened for CRC or not up-to-date with screening, all received FOBT kits and completed a pre and post evaluation. Only 1,745 high risk participants completed and returned the kit. 185 participants with abnormal results received recommendation letters to see their primary care physicians for further follow-up and case managers helped scheduled appointments. Thanks to this grant, high-risk participants received benign findings such as; polyps, diverticulosis, and 3 diagnosis of CRC.