Congress Abstracts 2003

60

WALKER COUNTY, AL, CANCER SCREENING PROJECT. Elizabeth F. Mays, RN, OCN^®, Baptist Cancer Center, Walker Jasper, AL; Arlene Hayne, RN, DSN, Samford University School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL; and Terri Salter, RN, MSN, MBA, Baptist Health Systems, Birmingham, AL.

Estimates from the American Cancer Society indicate that approximately 33% of all Americans will develop some form of cancer during their lifetimes. Of the 16,191 new cancer diagnoses in the state of Alabama, 414 of these were in Walker County. The top four diagnoses were lung (100), breast (70), colorectal (49), and prostate (31). The cancer-related mortality in this area was reported as 20%.

In February 2000, Baptist Health System, Inc (BHS) developed a proposal to pilot a comprehensive cancer screening program for Walker County, AL. Upon reviewing the proposal, the BHS Foundation agreed to finance a pilot community screening program.

Patterned after an existing urban screening program in Birmingham, AL, the pilot was designed to establish comprehensive cancer screening services in a rural community. Screening examinations were performed by an oncology certified nurse. They included a personal/family risk assessment as well as a body type assessment; oral, superficial lymph gland, skin, breast, and testicular examinations; PAP smear, mammogram, prostate-specific antigen, hematocrit, digital rectal exam, and both rectal and urine occult blood checks. The goal of this project was to reduce the burden of cancer on residents of Walker County through early diagnosis and intervention, thus decreasing the morbidity and mortality rates.

Patient outcomes measured were number/types of positive screens, number/types of cancers identified, and overall satisfaction with the screening process. The number and types of physician referrals were also tracked. Of the 44% participants completing the satisfaction survey, over 90% indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the screening process. Of 149 people screened, 111 were referred to primary care physicians due to some type of identified abnormality. During these follow up visits, one case of cervical cancer, two cases of breast cancer, and one case of leukemia were diagnosed and subsequently treated. Based on the overall project goals, there was an identified need for and community acceptance of the activity. As a result of this pilot, recommendation was made to establish comprehensive cancer screening within the community on a regular basis.