There are continued disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival between
American Indians (AIs) and Whites on cancers responsive to early screening (i.e., breast,
colorectal, and cervical) in the US. Between 1990-2009, based on data from Contract
Health Service Delivery Area Counties across the US, the mortality-to-incidence ratios
for these cancers were significantly higher for American Indian/Alaska Natives compared
to Whites (breast: 1.22, colorectal: 1.16, cervix: 1.36), indicating poorer survival. New
Mexico (NM) AIs also experience substantial cancer disparities. Between 2010-2014, AIs
compared to Whites had higher incidence (per 100,000) for cervical (7.9 vs. 6.9) and
colorectal (male: 46.5 vs. 35.2; female: 29.2 vs. 28.2) cancers, and higher mortality for
cervical (3.7 vs. 1.3) and colorectal (males only; 18.9 vs. 15.6) cancers. AIs were more
likely to receive a late-stage (i.e., regional or distant) cancer diagnosis for all 3
screen detectable cancers. AIs have some of the lowest cancer screening rates compared
with other racial/ethnic groups. In NM, AIs listed in the Indian Health Service (IHS)
Albuquerque Area have substantially lower screening rates than the state's White
population do. AIs had screening rates of: breast (58.5%, women ages 52-64), colorectal
(41.9%, ages 50-75), and cervical (63.9%, women ages 24-64) cancers; whereas, screening
rates for Whites were: breast (70.0%, ages 50-74), colorectal (69.2%, ages 50-75), and
cervical (77.8%, women 21-65)
The overall objective is to develop and pilot test culturally and linguistically
appropriate interventions to enhance age- and risk-appropriate breast, colorectal, and
cervical cancer screening in concordance with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
recommended guidelines
Aim 3 (Focus Groups, Descriptive): Qualitative documentation of perspectives on cancer
control needs in the Zuni Pueblo
Protocol: Aim 3 (Focus Groups, Descriptive): Qualitative documentation of perspectives on
cancer control needs in the Zuni Pueblo
Research Design: Focus groups that gather qualitative (descriptive) perspectives and
insights from a small group of participants
Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo
Participant identification and sampling: Non-probability sampling
Procedures: The investigators will contact interested participants for focus group
sessions
Primary Outcome: Knowledge about, barriers and support for, and communication about
breast, cervix, and colorectal cancers
Data Analysis: Thematic analyses of transcripts of the focus group discussions
Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll about 8-10 participants
per focus group
Aim 4 (Community Survey, Descriptive): Documentation of perspectives on cancer control
needs in the Zuni Pueblo
Protocol: Aim 4 (Community Survey, Descriptive): Documentation of perspectives on cancer
control needs in the Zuni Pueblo
Research Design: Cross-sectional
Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo
Participant identification and sampling: The sampling strategy for the Community
Survey includes random sampling of streets, strategic convenience sampling, and
snowball sampling.
Procedures: The investigators will implement the Community Survey among interested
and eligible participants. Participants will complete surveys documenting cancer
control needs for breast, cervix, or colorectal cancers. Women aged 50-75 will be
surveyed on breast, cervix, and colorectal cancers; women aged 21-49 will be
surveyed on cervix cancer, and men aged 50-75 will be surveyed on colorectal cancer
Primary Outcome: Self-reported screening behaviors for breast, colorectal, and
cervix cancers
Data Analysis: Descriptive analysis of survey data
Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll about 300 participants
Aim 8 (INT, Pilot Test). Pilot test multilevel/multicomponent interventions on screening
outcomes
Protocol. Aim 8 (INT, Pilot Test): Pilot Test Effectiveness of the
Multilevel/Multicomponent Intervention [INT]
Research Design: One-group, pre-INT/post-INT
Research Setting: Zuni Pueblo
Randomization: Non-randomized, convenience sampling
Participant Identification and Sampling: The investigators will identify and contact
participants who had previously expressed interest in participating in the pilot
testing of any of the 3 cancer-specific INTs
Interventions: Educational and behavioral INTs on cancers of the breast, colorectal,
and cervix
Procedures: The investigators will contact interested participants and redetermine
eligibility. Eligible participants will complete baseline (pre-INT) and post-INT
surveys about 6-8 months after receiving the INT(s). The surveys will be
administered in-person or over the phone and will last approximately 20-30 minutes
Implementation of the INTs: The investigators could operationalize recommended
strategies that may plausibly include strategies to: To increase community access,
the investigators could: (a) Identify a point-person at the health center who will
triage participants to and schedule them for appropriate screening(s). (b) Remind
participants to complete their screening exam(s), offer assistance in scheduling a
screening appointment and a ride to the health center. These strategies would reduce
administrative barriers, navigate participants, and assist with transportation and
in scheduling an appointment. To increase community demand, the investigators could
consider: (a) Educational materials. (b) 1-on-1 education. (c) Cognitive-behavioral
group education and incentives. To increase provider delivery, the investigators
could: (a) Reduce health center-specific systemic barriers by identifying a
point-person to promote and facilitate screening services
Baseline and Post-intervention Surveys: The investigators will collect data on
demographics, self-reported receipt of a cancer-specific screening exam,
self-reported scheduling of an appointment to obtain a cancer-specific screening
exam, or self-reported attempt to make an appointment for a cancer-specific
screening exam
Primary Outcome: Self-reported receipt of a screening exam, or scheduling an
appointment for a screening exam, or self-reported attempt to make an appointment
for a screening exam. Cancer-specific screening exams include FOBT/FIT/Colonoscopy
for colorectal cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer, or mammogram for breast cancer
Data Analysis: The investigators will compute the count of participants who
self-reported receipt of a screening exam, scheduling an appointment for a screening
exam, or attempt to make an appointment for a screening exam. These analyses will be
presented by age/sex strata. Men age 45-75 for colorectal cancer screening; women
45-75 for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening; and women 21-49 for
cervical cancer screening
Sample Size Considerations: The investigators will enroll a total of 120
participants