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Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Program for Underserved Women in Cumberland County, Maine

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Abstract

Over 800 Maine residents will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) this year, and nearly 300 will die from the disease. While CRC screening can reduce these rates, it is only among insured populations that screening rates exceed 50%. This project aimed to reduce barriers to, and increase rates of CRC screening among underinsured and uninsured women, ages 50 years and over, residing in Cumberland County, Maine. The existing network of the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) was used to reach the target population. A packet containing (1) an offer for no-cost fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening and CRC-related educational materials, and (2) a stamped, addressed postcard specifying the woman’s interest in these resources, was mailed to 300 MBCHP enrollees residing in Cumberland County. Women requesting screening were contacted by phone to further determine eligibility. Ninety-three women (31%) requested FOBT kits and 29 of these women requested educational materials. Ten women were ineligible for screening because of previous colonoscopy. Fifty-two completed FOBT kits (63%) were returned; all were negative. An additional 42 (14%) women requested educational materials only. To reduce the burden of CRC in Maine and nationally, disparate populations must be reached with efficient and effective screening services. Established networks are proven means for reaching uninsured and underinsured individuals with education, screening services, and necessary follow-up care. This project serves as a model for the future development of similar programs statewide and nationally.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Betsy Chase, Director of Clinical Trials Office, Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, for her assistance in this work. Furthermore, we are indebted Maine Medical Center administration as well as the range of clinician groups involved in this project, particularly Portland Gastroenterology Associates and Spectrum Pathology. This work was supported through a seed grant from the Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as funds from the Maine Medical Center Research Institute, and Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maine Medical Center and Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, 100 Campus Drive, Suite 100, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA

    Susan Miesfeldt

  2. Stephens Memorial Hospital, MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, Norway, ME, 04268, USA

    Christine Hayden

  3. Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 226 Water Street, #11 State House Station, Augusta, ME, 04333, USA

    Netta Apedoe & Andrea Fletcher

  4. Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 226 Water Street, #11 State House Station, Augusta, ME, 04333, USA

    Sharon Jerome

Authors
  1. Susan Miesfeldt
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  2. Christine Hayden
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  3. Netta Apedoe
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  4. Sharon Jerome
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  5. Andrea Fletcher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Miesfeldt.

Additional information

Funding for this research was provided by a grant from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Miesfeldt, S., Hayden, C., Apedoe, N. et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Program for Underserved Women in Cumberland County, Maine. J Community Health 35, 109–114 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-009-9204-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-009-9204-2

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