Barriers to Getting a Colonoscopy for African Americans       

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.co

When we think about going to the doctor, there are many things to consider and thoughts that go through our heads. Many of us dread making appointments because it is either uncomfortable or time-consuming. However, there are barriers that some of us encounter that may make things worse when we consider going to the doctor to get checked for procedures such as a colonoscopy.

 African Americans face barriers that may prevent them from reaching their needed help. Some obstacles may be financial because they may need more money to pay for it. Some low-income African Americans may not understand why they should get a colonoscopy. For example, the article “Preventing Chronic Disease” mentions that in their mixed-methods study, which included African American people and people with low income, barriers identified were a lack of understanding about what to do when being screened and what screening involved” (CDC, 2022). Socioeconomic status is a significant barrier when we think about education. Education relates to health since people must understand why they should get a colonoscopy.  Having a lack of knowledge is also a barrier. The ability to know why you need a colonoscopy makes a difference. When we do not understand a task, we hesitate to perform it. A lack of motivation is another barrier that may decrease the behavior of getting a colonoscopy. The article “Preventing Chronic Diseases “mentions “a lack of motivation to get tested because of reservations about getting the test’ (CDC, 2022).

 Prevention is essential to colon cancer, so getting a colonoscopy matters. I encourage all African Americans to get a colonoscopy and understand why they should get a coloscopy and the benefits of it.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022a, April 21). Adults who have never been screened for colorectal cancer, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2012 and 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/22_0001.htm

The Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Have you been screened for colorectal cancer recently, or ever? Well, it may be time for a routine screening if you have not. Colorectal cancer screening is used to detect colorectal cancer. According to the CDC (2023), the screening test will look for cancer when a person does not have symptoms. The development of colorectal cancer comes from precancerous polyps in the colon rectum. The purpose of screening is to look for early detection of cancer. The age for screening has changed from 50 to 45-75 years old due to prevention. According to the CDC, if you are 76-85 years old, you should speak to your doctor about screening. Also, it is essential to know what colorectal cancer screenings are available.

The CDC has created a campaign called “Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign.” This campaign presents information to men and women 45 years and older on how imperative it is to get screened for colorectal cancer. The campaign was created in 1999 and is an excellent source for many people who do not know about colorectal cancer screening.

 Below are a few messages stated by the CDC through their campaign, “Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign,” that I found excellent motivators for health promotion.

  • “Screening for colorectal cancer saves lives.”
  • “Screening helps find colorectal cancer early when treatment can be very effective.”
  • “You need to get screened even if you have no family history. Most colorectal cancers occur in people with no family history of the disease”.

I urge you to get screened for colorectal cancer if you are 45 years or older, have never been screened, or if it is time for your routine screening. Getting recommended screenings is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023a, January 25). Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/sfl/index.htm

How to Kill Cancer in the African American Community

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By Regina Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, and there is also a high prevalence of the disease affecting the African American community. African Americans have higher cancer mortality rates than any other racial or ethnic group, with a 14% higher overall cancer death rate than non-Hispanic whites (ACS, 2021). This disparity can be caused by a variety of factors, including socio-economic status, lifestyle factors, and limited access to healthcare.

One solution to reduce cancer disparities in the African American community is to increase access to cancer screenings. Early detection is crucial in the treatment of cancer, and regular cancer screenings can help detect cancer at an early stage, when it is most treatable. However, African Americans are less likely to receive cancer screenings than non-Hispanic whites, due to limited access to healthcare (ACS, 2021).

Community-based interventions have shown promise in increasing cancer screening rates in the African American community. These interventions involve community outreach and education, providing information on the importance of cancer screenings and how to access them. The Patient Navigation Program provides individualized support to people wishing to be screened for cancer, including transportation and other logistical support (Ferrante et al., 2011).

Another community-based intervention is the use of mobile mammography units, which bring mammography services to underserved communities, making it easier for women to access breast cancer screenings (Willems et al., 2019). Mobile mammography units have been shown to be effective in increasing breast cancer screening rates in underserved populations, including African American women.

Increasing access to cancer screenings in the African American community is crucial for reducing cancer disparities. Community-based interventions, such as the Patient Navigation Program and mobile mammography units, can help increase cancer screening rates in underserved populations. By improving access to cancer screenings, we can help detect cancer at an early stage, leading to better treatment outcomes and ultimately reducing cancer mortality rates in the African American community.

References:

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2021). Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2021-2023. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-facts-and-figures-for-african-americans/cancer-facts-and-figures-for-african-americans-2021-2023.pdf

Ferrante, J. M., Chen, P. H., Kim, S., & The-Pennsylvania-Patient-Centered-Medical-Home-Initiative (2011). The effect of patient navigation on time to diagnosis, anxiety, and satisfaction in urban minority women with abnormal mammograms: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Urban Health, 88(2), 211–226. doi: 10.1007/s11524-010-9502-6

Willems, B. A., Henry, K. A., Richter, R. R., & Hsieh, Y. W. (2019). Breast Cancer Screening in Underserved Women in the United States: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Women’s Health, 28(2), 269–277. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6863