George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Washington, DC
Katherine Rangoussis, BS, MS1, Robert S.. Gordon, DO, MS2, Maanvi Vij, BS1, Ivan Berezowski, MD1, Susie J. Park, MD1, Valerie S. Stark, MD, MPH3, Mrudula Bandaru, MD3, Liza Khutsishvili, BS4, Maxwell S. Madani, BA1, Omar K. Abu-Ghannam, BS1, Athanasios S. Naum, BS1, Lucas Miecho. Heilbroner, BA1, Kris Kokoneshi, BA1, Abdelrhman Refaey, MD5, Ahmed Ebeid, MD6, Pavan Vemulakonda, MD1, Zeina Bani Hani, MBBS1, Laxmikausthubha Yaratha, MD1, Simran Gupta, MD5, Romy Chamoun, MD1, Marie L. Borum, MD, EdD, MPH, FACG5 1George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 2George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arlington, WA; 3Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 4George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arlington, VA; 5Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 6Transplant Institute, Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, Washington, DC Introduction: Hispanic adults in the United States have reported colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates of 52%, with adults speaking only Spanish having rates as low as 32%. Factors reported to contribute to reluctance to undergo screening include access, cost, and fear. This study evaluated the impact of language inclusivity in educational materials reviewing screening options. Methods: University health care providers (HCPs) and leadership at an urban community center available to Spanish-speaking immigrants organized a health fair to increase CRC awareness. An anonymous survey obtained participant demographics, CRC knowledge, screening preferences and personal knowledge of anyone diagnosed with CRC. Educational material about CRC was distributed in English and Spanish. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test and Chi-Square test, with significance set at p< 0.05. Results: All 54 health fair participants (27 male, 26 female, 1 did not report gender) completed the anonymous survey. 25 (46.3%) identified as Black, 20 (37%) Hispanic, 6 (11.1%) white, 1 Asian (1.9%) and 2 (3.7%) did not report race / ethnicity. 33 (61%) reported English and 16 (30%) Spanish as their primary language. 16 (30%) reported knowing someone diagnosed with CRC.
Participants’ screening preferences included blood tests when they become readily available 16 (30%), colonoscopy 15 (28%), stool testing 7 (14%), CT colonography 0 (0%), capsule endoscopy 0 (0%), any option 11 (21%) with 5 (10%) declining all screening options. Individuals who knew someone with CRC were more likely to prefer screening colonoscopy (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in screening preference by gender (p=0.32298). Hispanics were more likely to decline CRC screening compared to others (p=0.034). After receiving CRC education, 100% of whites, 79% of Hispanics, and 75% of blacks reported increased willingness to undergo screening. Discussion: This study revealed that Hispanics were less likely to desire CRC screening. Educational resources provided in Spanish which discussed all screening options increased interest in screening. Additionally, if individuals were aware of someone with CRC, screening was desired. It is important for HCPs to individualize CRC messages, review all screening options and tailor outreach to community preferences in effort to improve screening rates which will optimize clinical outcomes.
Disclosures: Katherine Rangoussis indicated no relevant financial relationships. Robert Gordon indicated no relevant financial relationships. Maanvi Vij indicated no relevant financial relationships. Ivan Berezowski indicated no relevant financial relationships. Susie Park indicated no relevant financial relationships. Valerie Stark indicated no relevant financial relationships. Mrudula Bandaru indicated no relevant financial relationships. Liza Khutsishvili indicated no relevant financial relationships. Maxwell Madani indicated no relevant financial relationships. Omar Abu-Ghannam indicated no relevant financial relationships. Athanasios Naum indicated no relevant financial relationships. Lucas Heilbroner indicated no relevant financial relationships. Kris Kokoneshi indicated no relevant financial relationships. Abdelrhman Refaey indicated no relevant financial relationships. Ahmed Ebeid indicated no relevant financial relationships. Pavan Vemulakonda indicated no relevant financial relationships. Zeina Bani Hani indicated no relevant financial relationships. Laxmikausthubha Yaratha indicated no relevant financial relationships. Simran Gupta indicated no relevant financial relationships. Romy Chamoun indicated no relevant financial relationships. Marie Borum indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Katherine Rangoussis, BS, MS1, Robert S.. Gordon, DO, MS2, Maanvi Vij, BS1, Ivan Berezowski, MD1, Susie J. Park, MD1, Valerie S. Stark, MD, MPH3, Mrudula Bandaru, MD3, Liza Khutsishvili, BS4, Maxwell S. Madani, BA1, Omar K. Abu-Ghannam, BS1, Athanasios S. Naum, BS1, Lucas Miecho. Heilbroner, BA1, Kris Kokoneshi, BA1, Abdelrhman Refaey, MD5, Ahmed Ebeid, MD6, Pavan Vemulakonda, MD1, Zeina Bani Hani, MBBS1, Laxmikausthubha Yaratha, MD1, Simran Gupta, MD5, Romy Chamoun, MD1, Marie L. Borum, MD, EdD, MPH, FACG5. P2645 - Increasing Colon Cancer Screening Among Previously Reluctant Populations: Importance of Tailored Messaging, ACG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Phoenix, AZ: American College of Gastroenterology.
