UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: As represented in cancer registry data, nearly one-third of Michigan's counties are designated as high-mortality for colorectal cancer. This project funded three local health departments (LHD) in Michigan who had counties with high mortality rates to identify barriers to early detection of colorectal cancer in their respective localities. Each LHD was chartered to develop a collaborative and sustainable initiative with community partners to address the identified barriers to colorectal cancer early detection.

Methods: Each LHD completed a number of activities: identification of barriers to early detection of colorectal cancer, addressed one barrier with an intervention, established collaborative partnerships, and developed a five-year action plan. All LHDs collected data to identify physician and/or public barriers. Approaches utilized included: focus groups, surveys, interviews, and physician education symposiums. Each LHD utilized different methods to engage local partners to address barriers through tailored intervention(s). Some were able to build upon existing collaborative partnerships, while additional partnerships were made.

Results: Qualitative results found that these data-driven projects assisted to build community capacity and awareness by placing colorectal cancer on the local consortium's public health agenda. 84.2% of partners participating in this project indicated the greatest impact that this collaboration has had on their organization was an increased awareness of community needs and assets around colorectal cancer. Almost eighty percent indicated they would continue to work in collaborative efforts related to colorectal cancer.