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Innovative Approaches to Reducing Cancer Health Disparities

The Moffitt Cancer Center Patient Navigator Research Program

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Abstract

The Moffitt Cancer Center Patient Navigation Research Program (Moffitt PNRP) is evaluating the efficacy of patient navigation in reducing delays from screening abnormality to diagnostic resolution of a breast or colorectal abnormality. The Moffitt PNRP was conducted in three phases: (1) developing an acceptable, appealing, and culturally appropriate patient navigation program; (2) conducting a group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the patient navigation program; and (3) disseminating research findings and Moffitt PNRP intervention model. The patient navigation program was developed through significant formative research, input from the Moffitt PNRP Community Advisory Board, and through a close collaboration with the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network. 1367 patients were enrolled in the Phase 2 group randomized trial of the Moffitt PNRP. Most Moffitt PNRP group randomized trial participants are Hispanic, female, and Spanish speaking, with minimal education and income. Analyses are currently being conducted to evaluate efficacy of the Moffitt PNRP.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), through its Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (UO1 CA 117281–01; Richard G. Roetzheim, M.D., Principal Investigator). The contributions of Drs. Wells and Rivers to this paper were also funded by a grant from NCI (R25 CA090314; Paul B. Jacobsen, PhD, Principal Investigator).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Florida College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 27, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Kristen J. Wells, Cathy D. Meade, Ji-Hyun Lee & Richard G. Roetzheim

  2. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, FOW-EDU, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Cathy D. Meade & Ercilia Calcano

  3. Center for Equal Health, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 13, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Desiree Rivers

  4. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, MRC-Biostat, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Ji-Hyun Lee

Authors
  1. Kristen J. Wells
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  2. Cathy D. Meade
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  3. Ercilia Calcano
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  4. Ji-Hyun Lee
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  5. Desiree Rivers
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  6. Richard G. Roetzheim
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Correspondence to Kristen J. Wells.

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Wells, K.J., Meade, C.D., Calcano, E. et al. Innovative Approaches to Reducing Cancer Health Disparities. J Canc Educ 26, 649–657 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0238-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0238-7

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