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Amber McCall



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    OA04 - Improving Access and Outcomes in Lung Cancer Management (ID 898)

    • Event: WCLC 2018
    • Type: Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Nursing and Allied Professionals
    • Presentations: 1
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 9/24/2018, 10:30 - 12:00, Room 201 F
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      OA04.02 - Demographic, Psychosocial, and Behavioral Associations with Cancer Screening Among a Homeless Population (ID 11252)

      10:40 - 10:50  |  Author(s): Amber McCall

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background

      Although cancer incidence and mortality is declining, cancer remains among the leading causes of death worldwide. Research shows that cancer morbidity and mortality can be reduced by early detection. Yet, both cancer risks and screening behavior remain understudied in the United States homeless population. Lung cancer is the deadliest of cancers. Given the recent lung cancer screening guideline, it is especially important to assess population-based awareness of the screening recommendation among the homeless population, a population known to have higher cancer risk behaviors and lower cancer screening rates.

      a9ded1e5ce5d75814730bb4caaf49419 Method

      Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of homeless individuals (n =201) who attended a 1-day community event. Eligible study participants were English-speaking adults, aged 21 and above. Willing participants completed a 1-page 33 item paper survey. The analysis describes the demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral associations with cancer screenings and knowledge of the lung cancer screening recommendation.

      4c3880bb027f159e801041b1021e88e8 Result

      Participants’ mean age was 51.7 years (SD 13.6); the group was largely African American (77.3%) and male (67.9%). Despite higher cancer risk behaviors, knowledge of lung cancer screening and general participation rates for cancer screenings were below national benchmarks. Among women, the breast and cervical cancer screening rates were 46.5% and 85.1%. Among men, the prostate cancer screening rate was 34.2%. Among all participants, the colon cancer-screening rate was 44%. Cancer risk behaviors were higher than national rates and lung cancer screening knowledge was low (23.0%). Some cancer screening behaviors were associated with age, income, health status, obesity, tobacco use, and physical activity level.

      8eea62084ca7e541d918e823422bd82e Conclusion

      The associations of screening with modifiable risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and obesity suggests that relevant behavior change interventions are necessary among this high-risk population. Given the barriers to screening of poverty-stricken individuals, such as lack of transportation and access, nurses must not only educate patients on lung cancer screening, they must assist with identifying payment resources and care navigation. Moreover, nurses must be educated on the ambiguity and inconsistency among evidenced-based screening guidelines and be prepared to engage patients in shared decision-making that weighs the recommendations with the patient’s individual cancer risks. To improve cancer survival among disparate populations, sustained community outreach is necessary to increase awareness of screening recommendations, identify high-risk individuals, and navigate them to resources. It is imperative that resources are provided to support relevant behavior change interventions, such as tobacco cessation in this high-risk population.

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