BarberED then Screened: Disrupting the Colorectal Cancer Disparity in Urban Black Men

Author

Wilhemina Sizer, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow
Yvette Conyers, St. John Fisher University

Date of Award/Publication

12-2021

Document Type

DNP Project Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

First Supervisor

Dr. Donna Tydings

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common diagnosed cancer among non-Hispanic Black people in the United States. Alarmingly, this population is also 40% more likely to succumb to the disease. Black men get diagnosed younger, present with late-stage disease, and have poor 5-year survival rates. In total, 42% of the racial disparity is due to differences in screening.

Local problem: In Rochester, New York, there are eight zip codes where less than 47% of the population completed CRC screening and six zip codes where men have 15% to 49% above expected cases of CRC.

Methods: This qualitative improvement project took place in a barbershop in a zip code with subpar screening rates and higher-than-expected cases of CRC. Black men, 45-75 years of age, not current with CRC screening guidelines were recruited to participate after they received barber services. CRC screening was considered complete once a colonoscopy was scheduled.

Interventions: Colorectal cancer education was provided by a nurse practitioner to barbers, who then provided education to their eligible patrons. After the education, patrons who decided to undergo screening were connected to a local gastroenterology group where a colonoscopy was scheduled.

Results: Thirteen participants agreed to participate in the project. Nine participants scheduled CRC screening, and seven completed the colonoscopy evaluation.

Conclusions: Barbers and nurse practitioners are an ideal partnership when seeking to disrupt the CRC health care disparity. Members of the Black community who may not routinely participate in preventive care can be innovatively educated to improve their health status.

Comments

Published in the Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, June 2022, Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 859-865

DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000725

Recommended Citation

Sizer, Wilhemina and Conyers, Yvette, "BarberED then Screened: Disrupting the Colorectal Cancer Disparity in Urban Black Men" (2021). Nursing Doctoral. Paper 13.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/nursing_etd_doctoral/13

Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.