Carolinas Cancer Education and Screening (CARES) Project

The Carolinas Cancer Education and Screening (CARES) Project used a educational intervention to reach low-income women in subsidized housing communities in 11 cities in North and South Carolina to improve colorectal cancer screening knowledge. The project used a media campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of early detection and to encourage women to reduce their risk by identifying and reducing barriers to obtaining screening. Outreach materials included advertisements in community newspapers, segments on local radio stations, direct mailings, brochures, and waiting-room posters. Monthly examination room posters reminded health care providers to talk to their patients about colorectal cancer screening options.

The goal of this project is to improve colorectal cancer screening awareness among low-income women traditionally underserved by cancer control efforts.

The project was evaluated with a non-randomized controlled study that used face-to-face interviews to asses colorectal cancer beliefs, knowledge, barriers, and screening rates. There was a significant increase in positive beliefs about colorectal cancer screening (p = 0.010) and in the intention to complete colorectal cancer screening in the next year (p = 0.053) following the intervention. Despite this increase in positive attitude toward colorectal cancer screening, there was no statistical difference in screening participation rates between the intervention groups and control groups.