Transcript Slide 1

Colorectal Cancer Survivorship in Greene County, Pennsylvania:
Assessment and Provider Education
Mary Ann Ealy, Marlene Shaw and Carolyn Wissenbach
Background
Problem
Plan
The Greene County Cancer Coalition was formed in
1999 with support from Penn State Cooperative
Extension, community agencies and citizens and
guidance from the Northern Appalachian Leadership
Initiative on Cancer. Currently a subcommittee of the
Physical Health Committee of Greene County MAGIC
(Making a Great Impact Collectively), the county’s State
Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), the group aims
to improve community health through education and
coordination of resources. Over the past eight years,
the coalition has hosted a variety of community
outreach, education and screenings events focused on
the following cancers:
• breast
• colorectal
• prostate
• skin.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health
problem in Greene County. With a death rate higher
than the national rate and the Healthy People 2010
goal, CRC is also diagnosed at a later stage when it
is less curable.
Develop a strategy to improve colorectal cancer
survival and improve quality of life for those
diagnosed with the disease.
Resource Directory
Improved survival
and quality of life
Assessment
Colorectal Cancer Death Rate Comparison, All
Ages, All Races, Both Sexes, 2000-2004
Provider Education
Cancer Control PLANET
25
Rate
21.3
19.4
20
Methods
US
20.9
PA
13.9
15
10
Healthy
People 2010
5
Information for people
touched by Colon
Cancer
0
Preventable.
Treatable.
Beatable!
Colorectal Cancer
Percent Staging Distribution, 2002-2004
County Facts
Colon Cancer
Resource
Guide
• Community Assessment (surveys
and key informant interviews)
• Assets (resources) inventory
• Development of a directory of local,
state and national resources
• Health care provider dinner and education
• Dissemination of resource guide through providers
GREENE COUNTY, PA
Greene
EpiQMS
• Located in the southwest
corner of Pennsylvania
• Population just over 40,000
• Nearly 69% of the population live in rural areas
• Predominantly white (95.4%)
• Median age - 39 years
• Classified as “distressed” by the Appalachian
Regional Commission
Between 2003 and 2006,the coalition participated in two
community-based participatory research projects
resulting in published journal articles:
• The Impact of Cancer Coalitions on the Dissemination
of Colorectal Cancer Materials to Community
Organizations in Rural Appalachia. Preventing
Chronic Disease . April 2006
• Development of Community Plans to Enhance
Survival from Colorectal Cancer: Community-Based
Participatory Research in Rural Communities. Journal
of Cancer Survivorship. September 2007
Evaluation
Distant
13.2
Regional
• Community assessment and assets inventory.
• Participant surveys from the health care education
program and materials dissemination.
31.9
Local
42.9
0
10
20
30
40
50
Percentage
Objectives
• Understand the barriers and gaps experienced by
local CRC survivors
• Assess resources available to survivors
• Develop a resource guide to provide information
about local, state and national community
resources for CRC survivors and providers
• Increase knowledge among local health care
providers about hereditary factors, screening and
resources for CRC survivors.
Results
The assessment showed two primary findings:
• CRC survivors were often unaware of local,
state and national community resources that
may aid their survival.
Speaker, Linda M. Farkus,
MD, Director of Hereditary
• Local physicians were
Colorectal Tumor Program,
Division on Surgical
often unaware of local
Oncology, Assistant
resources, current
Professor of Surgery,
University of Pittsburgh
advances in screening,
School of Medicine, is
shown with coalition chair,
treatment and
Carolyn Wissenbach at
genetic testing to
Strykers Grill in
Waynesburg, PA on April
assist families in
12, 2007 .
dealing with CRC.
Participant surveys showed of the 13 healthcare
providers attending the education program, 10 (77%)
completed evaluations.
• All reported a high level
of knowledge gained
regarding hereditary
factors.
• 9 (90%) reported a high
level of knowledge gained about screening.
• All agreed the materials provided were useful.
• 6 (60%) reported continuing medical education
credits influenced their attendance.
• All reported that they would attend again
Conclusions
• A locally hosted dinner was an effective method of
informing providers with CRC medical education
and new materials
• Collaborative partnerships were essential to the
success of local provider education on CRC.
Acknowledgements
•
•
•
•
•
American Cancer Society, Greene County
Appalachia Community Cancer Network*
Linda M. Farkus, MD
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Northern Appalachian Cancer Network at Penn
State University**
• Penn State Cooperative Extension Service –
Greene County
• Pennsylvania Department of Health –
Greene County State Health Center
• University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
* Funding support for the resource guide, invitation,
speaker and dinner through a Community
Development Grant
** Training and technical assistance