Equitable implementation of lung cancer screening: avoiding its potential to mirror existing inequities among people who use tobacco.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, but the advent of lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography offers a tremendous opportunity to improve lung cancer outcomes. Unfortunately, implementation of lung cancer screening has been hampered by substantial barriers and remains suboptimal. Specifically, the commentary emphasizes the intersectionality of smoking history and several important sociodemographic characteristics and identities that should inform lung cancer screening outreach and engagement efforts, including socioeconomic considerations (e.g., health insurance status), racial and ethnic identity, LGBTQ + identity, mental health history, military experience/veteran status, and geographic residence in addressing specific community risk factors and future interventions in efforts to make strides toward equitable lung cancer screening. METHODS: Members of the Equitable Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening Interest Group with the Cancer Prevention and Control Network (CPCRN) provide a critical commentary based on existing literature regarding smoking trends in the US and lung cancer screening uptake to propose opportunities to enhance implementation and support equitable distribution of the benefits of lung cancer screening. CONCLUSION: The present commentary utilizes information about historical trends in tobacco use to highlight opportunities for targeted outreach efforts to engage communities at high risk with information about the lung cancer screening opportunity. Future efforts toward equitable implementation of lung cancer screening should focus on multi-level implementation strategies that engage and work in concert with community partners to co-create approaches that leverage strengths and reduce barriers within specific communities to achieve the potential of lung cancer screening.

A practical method for integrating community priorities in planning and implementing cancer control programs.

PURPOSE: Community engagement is essential in effective public health programs. This paper illustrates the methods used to engage community in the development of a multi-level implementation intervention to address cancer disparities related to hereditary cancer syndromes. METHODS: Implementation Mapping (IM), was used to guide the co-creation of an intervention. Key partners were recruited to a 13-member statewide community advisory board (CAB) representing healthcare and community-based organizations. As part of a needs assessment, a 3-round modified Delphi method with the CAB was used to identify implementation outcomes to use in later steps of IM. An anonymous online survey of a validated community engagement measure assessed CAB members' satisfaction with the process. RESULTS: Using a modified Delphi method as part of the needs assessment of IM, the CAB identified three broad categories of strategies: Changing infrastructure using patient navigation; training and educating patients, navigators and providers; and supporting clinicians in case identification and management. Self-reported satisfaction with the IM and Delphi process was high. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation Mapping facilitated the use of available evidence, new data, and community engagement to identify strategies to improve the delivery of programs to reduce hereditary cancer disparities. The modified Delphi method was easy to administer in a virtual environment and may be a useful for others in community-engaged research.

Principles to operationalize equity in cancer research and health outcomes: lessons learned from the cancer prevention and control research network.

Reflecting their commitment to advancing health equity, the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) established a Health Equity Workgroup to identify and distill guiding principles rooted in health equity, community-engaged participatory research (CBPR), social determinants of health, and racial equity frameworks to guide its collective work. The Health Equity Workgroup utilized a multi-phase, participatory consensus-building approach to: (1) identify recurrent themes in health and racial equity frameworks; (2) capture perspectives on and experiences with health equity research among CPCRN members through an online survey; (3) engage in activities to discuss and refine the guiding principles; and (4) collect case examples of operationalizing equity principles in cancer research. Representatives from all CPCRN centers endorsed nine core principles to guide the Network's strategic plan: (1) Engage in power-sharing and capacity building with partners; (2) Address community priorities through community engagement and co-creation of research; (3) Explore and address the systems and structural root causes of cancer disparities; (4) Build a system of accountability between research and community partners; (5) Establish transparent relationships with community partners; (6) Prioritize the sustainability of research benefits for community partners; (7) Center racial equity in cancer prevention and control research; (8) Engage in equitable data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination practices; and (9) Integrate knowledge translation, implementation, and dissemination into research plans. Dissemination products, such as toolkits and technical assistance workshops, reflecting these principles will foster knowledge transfer to intentionally integrate health and racial equity principles in cancer prevention and control research.

What makes for successful patient navigation implementation in cancer prevention and screening programs using an evaluation and sustainability framework.

BACKGROUND: Integrating patient navigation into cancer prevention and early detection efforts has been effective in increasing cancer screening rates for the medically underserved. Few publications have focused on how cancer screening interventions in the primary care setting using patient navigation as a primary strategy are implemented, adapted, and sustained. In 2006, the University of Colorado Cancer Center established a statewide colorectal cancer screening program to reduce disparities and improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for the medically underserved in partnership with the safety net system. The program, known as the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP), has provided navigation into preventive screening for more than 35,000 patients. METHODS: To evaluate sustainability and implementation, the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model was used to examine the implementation and impact. To complement this model, the CCSP adapted the Program Sustainability Framework and Clinical Sustainability Framework and Assessment Tools to measure the capacity of participating clinics to sustain the program beyond grant funding. RESULTS: The domains most frequently targeted for improvement in the sustainability plans were Workflow Integration (8 clinics), Communication, Planning, and Implementation (8 clinics), and Funding Stability (5 clinics). Activities in the implementation plans included revising workflows for efficiencies, incorporating quality improvement strategies, and building a business case for patient navigation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this sustainability planning process provide insight about program outcomes, satisfaction, and illustrate that although funding remains one of the key sustainability questions, many clinic systems have prioritized other specific domains to continue sustainability beyond grant funding.

Practice change in community health centers: A qualitative study of leadership attributes.

Introduction: This paper explores leadership attributes important for practice change in community health centers (CHCs) and assesses attributes' fit with the Full-Range Leadership Theory (FRLT). Methods: We conducted four focus groups and 15 in-depth interviews with 48 CHC leaders from several U.S. states using a modified appreciative inquiry approach. Thematic analysis was used to review transcripts for leadership concepts and code with a priori FRLT-derived and inductive codes. Results: CHC leaders most often noted attributes associated with transformational leadership as essential for practice change. Important attributes included emphasizing a collective sense of mission and a compelling, achievable vision; expressing enthusiasm about what needs to be done; and appealing to employees' analytical reasoning and challenging others to think creatively to problem solve. Few expressions of leadership fit with the transactional typology, though some did mention active vigilance to ensure standards are met, clarifying role and task requirements, and rewarding followers. Passive-avoidant attributes were rarely mentioned. Conclusions: Our results enhance understanding of leadership attributes supportive of successful practice change in CHCs.

The early dissemination of patient navigation interventions: results of a respondent-driven sample survey.

Patient navigators (PNs) coordinate medical services and connect patients with resources to improve outcomes, satisfaction, and reduce costs. Little national information is available to inform workforce development. We analyzed 819 responses from an online PN survey conducted in 2009-2010. Study variables were mapped to the five Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs to explore program variations by type of PN. Five logistic regression models compared each PN type to all others while adjusting for covariates. Thirty-five percent of respondents were nurse navigators, 28% lay navigators, 20% social work (SW)/counselor navigators, 7% allied health navigators, and 10% were "other" types of PNs. Most were non-Hispanic White (71%), female (94%), and at least college educated (70%). The primary differences were observed among: the core intervention tasks; position structure; work setting; health conditions navigated; navigator race/ethnicity; personal cancer experiences; navigation training; and patient populations served. Lay PNs had fewer odds of identifying as Hispanic, work in rural settings and assist underserved populations compared to others. Nurse navigators showed greater odds of clinical responsibilities, work in hospital or government settings and fewer odds of navigating minority populations compared to others. SW/counselor navigators also had additional duties, provided greater assistance to Medicare patient populations, and less odds of navigating underserved populations than others. In summary, our survey indicates that the type of PN utilized is an indicator of other substantial differences in program implementation. CFIR provides a robust method to compare differences and should incorporate care coordination outcomes in future PN research.

What are patient navigators doing, for whom, and where? A national survey evaluating the types of services provided by patient navigators.

OBJECTIVE: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to assess patient navigator, patient population, and work setting characteristics associated with performance of various patient navigation (PN) tasks. METHODS: Using respondent-driven sampling, 819 navigators completed a survey assessing frequency of providing 83 PN services, along with information about themselves, populations they serve, and setting in which they worked. Analyses of variance and Pearson correlations were conducted to determine differences and associations in frequency of PN services provided by various patient, navigator, and work setting characteristics. RESULTS: Nurse navigators and navigators with lower education provide basic navigation; social workers typically made arrangements and referrals; and individuals with higher education, social workers, and nurses provide treatment support and clinical trials/peer support. Treatment support and clinical trials/peer support are provided to individuals with private insurance. Basic navigation, arrangements and referrals, and care coordination are provided to individuals with Medicaid or no insurance. CONCLUSION: Providing basic navigation is a core competency for patient navigators. There may be two different specialties of PN, one which seeks to reduce health disparities and a second which focuses on treatment and emotional support. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The selection and training of patient navigators should reflect the specialization required for a position.

Surveillance and beliefs about follow-up care among long-term breast cancer survivors: a comparison of primary care and oncology providers.

PURPOSE: Delivery of follow-up care to breast cancer survivors is an important public health issue due to their increasing number and the anticipated shortage of oncology providers. This study evaluated adherence to American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-recommended surveillance tests in a bi-ethnic cohort of long-term breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women (n = 298) in Arizona and Colorado who had previously participated in a population-based study of breast cancer were enrolled into a follow-up survey approximately 6 years post-diagnosis. ASCO-recommended surveillance (mammogram, clinical breast, and physical exam), other non-recommended tests (e.g. tumor markers, imaging scans), and patients' beliefs were compared by provider type using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: No significant differences in patient self-report of physical exam or mammography prevalence by provider type was observed after adjustment for covariates. Receipt of surveillance tests not recommended by ASCO was higher among survivors who saw an oncologist (tumor marker tests: OR = 3.0, 95 % CI 1.5-5.8; and other blood tests: OR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.1-3.5) as compared to those who routinely see a primary care physician. These observed differences persisted after adjustment for age, stage, lapse in insurance, education, or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Although overutilization of non-recommended tests was observed among women who saw an oncologist, the majority of breast cancer survivors received ASCO-recommended surveillance regardless of provider type. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Most breast cancer survivors receive recommended surveillance tests, whether their care is managed by a primary care physician or an oncologist, but some women receive unnecessary testing. Women should talk with their providers about tests recommended based on their past breast cancer diagnosis.

Practice adaptive reserve and colorectal cancer screening best practices at community health center clinics in 7 states.

BACKGROUND: Enhancing the capability of community health centers to implement best practices (BPs) may mitigate health disparities. This study investigated the association of practice adaptive reserve (PAR) with the implementation of patient-centered medical home (PCMH) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening BPs at community health center clinics in 7 states. METHODS: A convenience sample of clinic staff participated in a self-administered, online survey. Eight PCMH CRC screening BPs were scored as a composite ranging from 0 to 32. The PAR composite score was scaled from 0 to 1 and then categorized into 3 levels. Multilevel analyses examined the relation between PAR and self-reported implementation of PCMH BPs. RESULTS: There were 296 respondents, and 59% reported 6 or more PCMH BPs at their clinics. The mean PAR score was 0.66 (standard deviation, 0.18), and the PCMH BP mean scores were significantly higher for respondents who reported higher clinic PAR categories. In comparison with the lowest PAR level, adjusted PCMH BP means were 25.0% higher at the middle PAR level (difference, 3.2; standard error, 1.3; t = 2.44; P = .015) and 63.2% higher at the highest PAR level (difference, 8.0; standard error, 1.9; t = 4.86; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: A higher adaptive reserve, as measured by the PAR score, was positively associated with self-reported implementation of PCMH CRC screening BPs by clinic staff. Future research is needed to determine the PAR levels most conducive to implementing CRC screening and to develop interventions that enhance PAR in primary care settings.

The cancer prevention and control research network: An interactive systems approach to advancing cancer control implementation research and practice.

BACKGROUND: Although cancer research has advanced at a rapid pace, a gap remains between what is known about how to improve cancer prevention and control (CPC) and what is implemented as best practices within health care systems and communities. The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN), with more than 10 years of dissemination and implementation research experience, aims to accelerate the uptake and use of evidence-based CPC interventions. METHODS: The collective work of the CPCRN has facilitated the analysis and categorization of research and implementation efforts according to the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF), providing a useful heuristic for bridging the gap between prevention research and practice. The ISF authors have called for examples of its application as input to help refine the model. RESULTS: We provide examples of how the collaborative activities supported by the CPCRN, using community-engaged processes, accelerated the synthesis and translation of evidence, built both general and innovation-specific capacity, and worked with delivery systems to advance cancer control research and practice. CONCLUSIONS: The work of the CPCRN has provided real-world examples of the application of the ISF and demonstrated that synthesizing and translating evidence can increase the potential that evidence-based CPC programs will be used and that capacity building for both the support system and the delivery system is crucial for the successful implementation and maintenance of evidence-based cancer control. IMPACT: Adoption and implementation of CPC can be enhanced by better understanding ISF systems and intervening to improve them.

Dissemination of patient navigation programs across the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To use diffusion and dissemination frameworks to describe how indicators of economic and health care disparity affect the location and type of patient navigation programs. METHODS: A cross-sectional national Web-based survey conducted during 2009-2010 with support from 65 separate national and regional stakeholder organizations. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1116 self-identified patient navigators across the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The location and characteristics of patient navigation programs according to economic and health care disparity indicators. RESULTS: Patient navigation programs appear to be geographically dispersed across the United States. Program differences were observed in navigator type, population served, and setting by poverty level. Programs in high-poverty versus low-poverty areas were more likely to use lay navigators (P < .001) and to be located in community health centers and agencies with religious affiliations (50.6 vs 36.4%, and 21.5% vs 16.7%. respectively; P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION(S): Results suggest that navigation programs have spread beyond initial target inception areas and also serve as a potentially important resource in communities with higher levels of poverty and/or relatively low access to care. In addition, while nurse navigators have emerged as a significant component of the patient navigation workforce, lay health navigators serve a vital role in underserved communities. Other factors from dissemination frameworks may influence the spread of navigation and provide useful insights to support the dissemination of programs to areas of high need.

A systematic review of special events to promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Special events are common community-based strategies for health promotion. This paper presents findings from a systematic literature review on the impact of special events to promote breast, cervical or colorectal cancer education and screening. METHODS: Articles in English that focused on special events involving breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer conducted in the U.S. and published between January 1990 and December 2011 were identified from seven databases: Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstract, Cochrane Libraries, and EconLit. Study inclusion and data extraction were independently validated by two researchers. RESULTS: Of the 20 articles selected for screening out of 1,409, ten articles on special events reported outcome data. Five types of special events were found: health fairs, parties, cultural events, special days, and plays. Many focused on breast cancer only, or in combination with other cancers. Reach ranged from 50-1732 participants. All special events used at least one evidence-based strategy suggested by the Community Guide to Preventive Services, such as small media, one-on-one education, and reducing structural barriers. For cancer screening as an outcome of the events, mammography screening rates ranged from 4.8% to 88%, Pap testing was 3.9%, and clinical breast exams ranged from 9.1% to 100%. For colorectal screening, FOBT ranged from 29.4% to 76%, and sigmoidoscopy was 100% at one event. Outcome measures included intentions to get screened, scheduled appointments, uptake of clinical exams, and participation in cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Special events found in the review varied and used evidence-based strategies. Screening data suggest that some special events can lead to increases in cancer screening, especially if they provide onsite screening services. However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that special events are effective in increasing cancer screening. The heterogeneity of populations served, event activities, outcome variables assessed, and the reliance on self-report to measure screening limit conclusions. This study highlights the need for further research to determine the effectiveness of special events to increase cancer screening.

Meeting the challenge of cancer survivorship in public health: results from the evaluation of the chronic disease self-management program for cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Self-management has been identified as an important opportunity to improve health outcomes among cancer survivors. However, few evidence-based interventions are available to meet this need. METHODS: The effectiveness of an adapted version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for cancer survivors called Cancer Thriving and Surviving was evaluated in a randomized trial. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6-months post program via written survey among 244 participants in Colorado. Repeated measures analysis was used to analyze pre/post program change. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement was observed among those in the intervention in the following outcomes: Provider communication (+16.7% change); depression (-19.1%); energy (+13.8%); sleep (-24.9%) and stress-related problems (-19.2%); change over time was also observed in the controls for energy, sleep, and stress-related outcomes though to a lesser degree. Effect sizes of the difference in change over time observed indicate a net beneficial effect for provider communication (0.23); and decreases in depression (-0.18); pain (-0.19); problems related to stress (-0.17); and sleep (-0.20). CONCLUSION: Study data suggest that the self-management support from adaptation of the CDSMP can reach and appeal to cancer survivors, improves common concerns in this population, and can fill an important gap in meeting the ongoing need for management of post-diagnosis issues in this growing segment of the U.S. population.

Long-term weight gain among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women with and without breast cancer.

Weight gain following breast cancer diagnosis is common, but limited data exists on whether this gain is in excess of that gained during normal aging. This study investigated weight patterns among women with and without breast cancer to determine the effects of the breast cancer experience on weight change. Using the SHINE 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study, 305 women with breast cancer and 345 women without were followed prospectively. Weight change of ≥5% was defined as the difference between the self-reported weight measurements obtained at breast cancer diagnosis (or referent date for women without breast cancer) and about 6 yr later. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used. Within this cohort, 60% of women were overweight or obese and 37% of women gained weight. No significant greater weight gain was observed between women with vs. without breast cancer [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) = 1.15, 95% CI 0.79-1.68] or between Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic White women (ORadj = 1.09, 95% CI 0.72-1.66) after adjustment. Weight gain was associated with being younger and having a lower body mass index. Among breast cancer survivors, cancer treatment factors were not associated with weight gain. These results suggest that weight management approaches are needed, especially those targeted to at-risk populations such as breast cancer survivors.

Differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women with breast cancer for clinical characteristics and their correlates.

PURPOSE: Body size and ethnicity may influence breast cancer tumor characteristics at diagnosis. We compared Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) cases for stage of disease, estrogen receptor (ER) status, tumor size, and lymph node status, and the associations of these with body size in the 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study. METHODS: One thousand five hundred twenty-seven NHW and 798 Hispanic primary incident breast cancer cases diagnosed between October 1999 and May 2004 were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Hispanic women were more likely to have larger (>1 cm) ER- tumors and more than four positive lymph nodes (P < .003). Lymph node status was not associated with body size. However, among NHW women, obesity (body mass index >30) and increased waist circumference (>38.5 inches) were significantly positively associated with ER- tumor status (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.24-2.81 and OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.58-4.22, respectively). In contrast, among Hispanic women, obesity and waist circumference had inverse associations with ER- tumor status (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.84 and OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.30-1.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic ethnicity may modify the association of body size and composition with ER- breast cancer. This finding could have relevance to clinical treatment and prognosis.

Dietary intake of folate, B-vitamins and methionine and breast cancer risk among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women.

BACKGROUND: Low dietary folate intake is associated with several neoplasias, but reports are inconsistent for breast cancer. Additionally, the association of folate with breast cancer estrogen receptor (ER) status is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To determine if dietary intakes of folate, B-vitamins (B2, B6, B12) and methionine are associated with breast cancer risk and ER status in Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White women in the southwestern U.S. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary breast cancer cases (n = 2,325) in the 4-Corners region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah), diagnosed between October 1999 and May 2004, were identified through state cancer registries. Controls (n = 2,525) were frequency-matched by ethnicity and age (±5 years). Dietary intake, physical activity and other exposures were assessed using in-person interviews. Risk was assessed through multivariable and multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for relevant covariates. RESULT: While there was no overall association with breast cancer, the highest quartile of folate intake was marginally inversely associated with ER- breast cancer (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-1.00, p for trend = 0.07). Vitamin B12 intake was inversely associated with breast cancer also (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.53-1.00, p for trend = 0.06), particularly for the highest quartile of ER+ breast cancer (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.99, p for trend = 0.06), among NHW women (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.81, p for trend = 0.01) and invasive breast cancer (OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.93, P(trend) = 0.01). Methionine intake was also inversely associated with ER+ breast cancer (OR for 4th quartile = 0.83, 95% CI 0.66-1.03, p for trend = 0.04), primarily among Hispanic women (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.47-1.06, and P for trend = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Higher intake of folate is marginally associated with a lower risk for ER- breast cancer, and higher intakes of vitamin B-12 and methionine are marginally associated with a lower risk of ER+ breast cancer.

ADRB2 G-G haplotype associated with breast cancer risk among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women: interaction with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Polymorphisms in the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene have been studied in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, risk factors that have received increased attention in relation to breast cancer. We evaluated the hypothesis that ADRB2 variants (rs1042713, rs1042714) are associated with breast cancer risk in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and Hispanic (H) women using data from a population-based case-control study conducted in the southwestern United States. METHODS: Data on lifestyle and medical history, and blood samples, were collected during in-person interviews for incident primary breast cancer cases (1,244 NHW, 606 H) and controls (1,330 NHW, 728 H). ADRB2 genotypes for rs1042713(G/A) and rs1042714(G/C) were determined using TaqMan assays. The associations of each variant and corresponding haplotypes with breast cancer were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Two copies compared to one or zero copies of the ADRB2 G-G haplotype were associated with increased breast cancer risk for NHW women [odds ratio (OR), 1.95; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI), 1.26-3.01], but with reduced risk for H women [OR, 0.74; 95 % CI, 0.50-1.09]. Effect estimates were strengthened for women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m(2) [H: OR, 0.50; 95 % CI, 0.31-0.82; NHW: OR, 3.85; 95 % CI, 1.88-7.88] and for H women with a history of diabetes [H: OR, 0.32; 95 % CI, 0.12-0.89]. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ethnicity modifies the association between the ADRB2 G-G haplotype and breast cancer risk, and being overweight or obese enhances the divergence of risk between H and NHW women.