U01 CRC Project for Vietnamese Americans

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third highest cause of mortality in Vietnamese and Asian Americans. CRC incidence is rising rapidly in Vietnamese Americans, but they have among the lowest rates of CRC screening (14%) and are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which is highly preventable. Over 85% of Vietnamese Americans in our region (PA, NJ and NYC) are foreign-born with limited English proficiency, have low SES, and live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Many lack knowledge about CRC risks and screening benefits and have limited access to culturally appropriate preventive care. Center for Asian Health, Temple University will be working with Vietnamese CBOs to address their critical health disparities. The investigators will test the hypothesis that the proposed multilevel CRC intervention will yield higher CRC screening rates compared to the control at 12-month follow-up. This project represents the first large-scale community-based randomized controlled trial of a multilevel, culturally-appropriate intervention to increase CRC screening among underserved Vietnamese. If effective, this innovative CRC intervention can be used as a model program that has potential impact, generalizability and sustainability in Asian American and other underserved ethnic communities.

Sex

All

Minimum age

50 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. self-identified Vietnamese ethnicity,
2. age 50 and above,
3. accessible by cell telephone,
4. presence in the same geographic study area for a period of one year (to minimize participant attrition);
5. not enrolled in any CRC intervention (to prevent a potential program impact),
6. do not have the colorectal polyp, CRC cancer or a family history of CRC (first-degree relative),
7. non-adherent to CRC screening guidelines (never had CRC screening or are overdue for screening).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. enrolled in any CRC intervention (to prevent a potential program impact)
2. have the colorectal polyp, CRC cancer or a family history of CRC
3. had CRC screening or adherent to CRC screening guidelines