The CUNY-IFCP Cancer Prevention and Control Small Grants Program supports pilot research studies that will help to increase research on ethnic and racial disparities in cancer and involve minority scientists and trainees in biobehavioral cancer research. Each year we make a call for proposals for persons interested in developing a pilot project.  During year one,  we held a pilot study competition that resulted in two funded proposals for 2002-2003.  

Factors Influencing Follow-up Cervical Cancer Screening Among Low-Income Ethnic Minority Women

• Co-Leaders: Drs. Miok Lee (Hunter College, CUNY) and Shuquan Chen (IFCP).
  
• Abstract:  The goal of this study is to prevent and reduce health risks associated with cervical cancer in Korean-American women by implementing community based intervention strategies based on identified socio-demographic characteristics, major barriers and motivators.  Cervical cancer is preventable and curable with the 5-year relative survival rate of nearly 100% if diagnosed in pre-cancerous stages with a Pap test. Korean-American women show low rates of initial screening rate using the Pap test, with a substantial number not returning for an annual follow up.  The objectives are: 1) to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of the women who lacked follow up after the initial cervical cancer screening and their initial pap test results; 2) to explore influencing factors in these women’s decision process of not returning for follow up, as well as influencing factors in women who returned for a follow up cervical cancer screening.  An integrated design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches with purposeful sampling will be used. The sample will be drawn from the Korean-American women who participated in Queens Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program during 2000, but did not return for a follow up test in 2001. The participants will be of low income and of 40 years of age or older.   The study will be conducted in 3 phases – Screening Intake Form review, focus group sessions, and telephone interviews.  By determining the barriers to and motivators for cancer screening, intervention strategies appropriate for these women and similar others will be designed. This study aims to help vulnerable minority women to participate in annual cervical cancer screening, thus helping them maintain their good health and a better quality of life, which are the first two goals of Healthy People 2010.
  

Risk Perception, Knowledge, and Use of Preventive Behaviors in Medically Underserved Communities

• Co-Leaders: Drs. Erica Lubetkin (CUNY Medical School), Haomiao Jia (CUNY Medical School), Josh Muscat (IFCP); and Annabel Santana, M.P.H. (CUNY Medical School).
  
• Abstract:  Cancer and heart disease comprise the leading causes of death for persons 35 years of age and older, yet the incidence of particular types of cancers and other conditions vary according to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Few studies have been conducted on the relationship between the perception of risk, knowledge of risk, and use of preventive services among low income ethnic/racial minority patients in primary care settings. This study seeks to examine the perceptions of cancer risk and use of preventive services within different population sub-groups in New York City community health centers which serve populations shown to be at highest risk for various cancers and other diseases. Utilizing survey methodology, the investigators will examine: 1) patients’ perceptions of risk for specific cancers and other conditions of high morbidity; 2) patients’ knowledge of risk for these diseases; 3) self-reported risk factors for these diseases; 4) use of preventive services.  The investigators will seek to identify cultural disparities in risk perception and use of preventive services within vulnerable communities. Such information will assist health centers in developing and providing culturally-responsive interventions that enhance patients’ knowledge of risk and promote uptake of appropriate preventive services. Cross-sectional data will be obtained through self-administered surveys distributed by research assistants to adult Asian (Chinese), Latino and African American patients in the waiting rooms of two community health centers. Data will be analyzed within and across population sub-groups to assess correlations between risk perceptions / knowledge and use of preventive services. Baseline risk data from national data sets will be utilized to provide patient education feedback following interviews.