Cancer Health Awareness through Screening and Education (CHANGE): Community health engagement

Abstract Purpose The goal of the CHANGE project is to provide a sustainable model of evidence-based cancer awareness through education – with an emphasis on prevention and early detection behaviors. Methods: Residents of a public housing community were invited to participate in a 4-week education program on breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, including modifiable risk factors of obesity and tobacco use, screening eligibility, and participation in clinical trials. Each session was led by trained research staff, and lasted approximately one hour. A community site survey was also conducted among 20% of the residents to evaluate community cancer knowledge and screening behaviors. A community advisory board was established to support program implementation and advise on choosing a cancer risk-reducing environmental change. Results: 14 adult participants (7 men and 7 women, 86% African American) completed baseline measurements. 10 participants received a relevant health history notification, which means they were positive for one of the following which put them in the "higher risk" category: Due for one of the following screenings Breast, Colorectal or Prostate; Had family history of cancer; Tobacco use; Overweight/obese - 1 male was referred to the GCC Tobacco Cessation Program. All eligible participants were navigated to local cancer screening providers and will be followed up at 3 months.Community site survey results indicated a need for improved access to fresh fruits and vegetable access. Community advisory board participants and community resources collaborated to provide locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables to the public housing community's internal market. 1 Discussion: This sample represents those most at risk for cancer in the Augusta, GA area. This project will impact health equity by emphasizing a comprehensive approach to care through community environmental change and individual changes in knowledge and risk-reducing behaviors. Additional sites will be enrolled in the program through the end of 2022. Citation Format: Marlo M. Vernon, Samantha Jones, Steven Coughlin, Justin X. Moore, Vahe Heboyan, Martha Tingen. Cancer Health Awareness through Screening and Education (CHANGE): Community health engagement [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B034.