Forsyth County Cancer Screening (FoCaS) Project
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Forsyth County Cancer Screening (FoCaS) Project is funded by the National Cancer Institute to improve the use for breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income, minority women aged 40 and older. Older, low-income, and minority women are less likely to be screened, resulting in more late-stage cancers and lower survival rates. The program includes public health clinic strategies such as training for health care providers, educational games, posters and literature in waiting rooms, abnormal test protocols, and one-on-one counseling sessions and personalized letters for follow-up testing for women with abnormal results. Community outreach components include monthly classes, community parties with information booths, a church program, educational brochures and mass media, targeted mailings, and one-on-one educational sessions in women’s homes.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the FoCaS Project is to improve breast and cervical cancer screening participation among low-income women.
Results / Accomplishments
Pre- and post-intervention surveys show that the proportion of women reporting regular use of mammography increased in the intervention city (31% to 56%, p < 0.001) over the four years of the intervention; there was a non-significant increase in mammography among women living in the comparison city. An increased proportion of women in the intervention city received a Pap smear within the past 3 years (73% to 87%, p < 0.003) but women in the comparison city saw a non-significant decrease in screening.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Department of Public Health Sciences
Primary Contact
Electra D. Paskett, PhD
1590 N High Street
Suite 525
Columbus OH 43210
614-293-3917
electra.paskett@osumc.edu
1590 N High Street
Suite 525
Columbus OH 43210
614-293-3917
electra.paskett@osumc.edu
Topics
Health / Women's Health
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health
Organization(s)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Department of Public Health Sciences
Source
National Cancer Institute Research-tested Intervention Programs
Date of publication
1999
Date of implementation
1995
Location
Forsyth County, NC
For more details
Target Audience
Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities