Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer is a major health concern and public health problem in the United States (U.S.) despite the availability of screening methods used for early detection of this disease. Colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, has been identified by the CDC as a preventable cancer. CRC has been identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a preventable cancer when timely and appropriate colonoscopy screening is performed. The CDC recommends colon cancer screening colonoscopy beginning at age 50 years, and every 10 years thereafter. Up-to-date, there is limited literature regarding colorectal cancer screening practices among male Veterans.
The theory used to guide the development of this study was the Health Belief Model (HBM). It was originally developed in the 1950s to explain why medical screening programs offered by the U.S. public health departments were not successful. This theory has been used to study screening programs for diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. It examines the perception of a disease process and how an individual may act upon it. Health behaviors have been described as activities performed by individuals that influence one’s total being; emotional, mental, physical, psychological and spiritual being.
Purpose/Objectives
The purpose of this study is to explore and compare differences in variables that are associated with the rate of colorectal cancer screening among male Veterans. The study compared differences among male Veterans and cancer screening practices based on the recommended guidelines. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2014 survey data was explored for answers to the study research questions and hypotheses.
The BRFSS is recognized and supported by the CDCs Population Health Surveillance Branch, under the Division of Population Health at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The BRFSS is a public domain and is open for data review which does not include any personal identifiable information. Information will be extracted and explored which will address the study independent variables defined as age, race, income, educational level and marital status. The dependent variables were defined as colorectal cancer screening rates performed on male Veterans, ages 50-74 years and CRC cancer screening completed within the recommended time. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, colorectal cancer screening can potentially reduce morbidity and mortality by up to 60% for anyone 50 years and older, if they are screened regularly. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy have been shown to be effective in early detection of colorectal cancer (CDC, MMWR, 2011).
Methods
Using an exploratory-comparative design, this secondary data analysis addresses study questions using data from the 2014 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Male veterans from 50 to 74 years are included in analysis. Colorectal cancer screening is measured as meet or not meet the screening recommendations. Relationships among the screening behavior and demographic variables (age, race, income, educational level & marital status) are analyzed using Chi-Square tests and ANOVA. For all analysis Alpha is set at 0.05.
Results
Data are currently being collected and results will be available for the International Nursing Research Congress conference. We anticipate that our findings will reveal a significant relationship between variables identified and male Veterans rate of recommended colorectal cancer screening.
Conclusions:
The BRFSS data analysis reflects whether a relationship exists among the identified variables, and suggests how changes in health practices might improve a reduction in CRC among this Veteran population.
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