Congress Abstracts 2006

68

COMBINING CANCER SCREENING ASSESSMENT WITH HEART RISK AND CHOLESTEROL TESTING. Nora Katurakes, RN, MSN, OCN^®, Christiana Care Health Services-Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Wilmington, DE.

The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association have recommended that common risk factors are associated with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Individuals are not aware of the common risk factors, the connection between the disease conditions, and interventions that can lower their risk and prevent these diseases. American Cancer Society reports that nearly 75% of all cancers are preventable. Primary and secondary prevention programs are needed in the community to raise awareness, provide access to services and assist individuals with lifestyles changes based on behavior theory. Innovative strategies are needed to reach diverse and vulnerable communities and assist with changing behaviors to create healthier communities.

The purpose of this project was to design and implement a global approach for a community-based screening program that combined cancer awareness and screenings with risk factor assessment and clinical testing for chronic disease (cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure). This project's aim was to reach vulnerable individuals and assist with cancer screenings and services.

The Manager of the Community Health Outreach and Education program at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware, an oncology nurse, convened a team that met monthly to develop the Chronic Disease Screening Program funded by the Delaware Division of Public Health. Components include processes for registration and screening, a computerized heart health assessment (Wellsource), clinical measurements (cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure), education materials, a 5-item questionnaire to assess cancer screening needs, a participant satisfaction survey and followup outcome tracking letter. Each participant screened receives written and verbal instructions about healthy lifestyle recommendations and a plan for appropriate cancer screening.

This program, currently in its third year, reaches over 1300 participants annually. Program evaluation measures include 1) participant satisfaction survey and Spanish focus groups 2) demographic data of participants 3) referrals for cancer screenings, physician services and financial assistance and 4) outcomes reported through the followup outcome tracking letters.

The program design has been successful and provided a strategy that may be used in other communities to educate and assist vulnerable individuals with cancer screening services. Oncology nurses play a role in developing innovative programs.