Cancer Prevention Programs

Since 2010, the Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs have been funded by a series of grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The current CPRIT Prevention Grant (# PP210007) is a collaborative project between MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Jane Montealegre from MD Anderson serves as Project Director, and Dr. Maria Jibaja-Weiss from the Duncan Cancer Center serves as Project Co-Director. 

The project goals are to:

1. Increase the proportion of adult patients ages 45-75 years who are screened for colorectal cancer and receive appropriate follow-up.  
2. Increase the proportion of female patients ages 25-64 who are screened for cervical cancer and receive appropriate follow-up.
3. Increase awareness and intention to screen among medically underserved racial/ethnic minority residents. 

The colorectal and cervical screening programs use a comprehensive approach to address barriers that exist at multiple stages within the cancer continuum of care.  Specifically, the evidence-based strategies utilized are: Patient education, patient navigation, and community outreach.

Patient Education

A key component of our patient education efforts for the Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs includes educational videos which are shown to eligible Harris Health patients at the point-of-care using exam room computers or through video links sent to patients for access via their electronic patient portal (i.e., MyHealth). The various sets of educational videos are linguistically targeted and patient-friendly instructional tools intended to educate individuals about colorectal and cervical cancer screening exams.  

Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, the colorectal cancer screening educational videos provide information about the fecal immunochemical test (i-FIT) and preparing for a colonoscopy using the Golytely and MoviPrep solutions. We also developed and distribute complementary multilingual easy-to-read printed materials to assist patients in collecting specimens for the i-FIT and for preparing for a colonoscopy using both the Golytely and MoviPrep solutions. Patients at Harris Health with an order to obtain colorectal cancer screening receive an i-FIT Kit distribution bag which includes the printed patient instructions for collecting the sample, a sample FIT collection tube, and a biohazard bag for storing and returning the sample to the lab.   

The cervical cancer screening educational videos (also available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese) are shown to women 25-65 years or older who have not received a Pap test in the past 3-5 years (depending on their age and whether they had HPV co-testing).   The videos also address the human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV co-testing to educate women about the causative role of HPV in the development of cervical cancer and the screening guidelines for HPV co-testing.

Patient Navigation

Our colorectal and cervical cancer screening program focuses on engaging with residents of Harris County, specifically those from Hispanic, African American, and Vietnamese communities where screening rates are lowest. The Patient Navigation Program uses a tiered tracking and reminder system to ensure diagnostic follow-up among patients with an abnormal screening test. And the Community Access Navigation program aims to improve access to healthcare and cancer screening among medically underserved individuals attending community outreach events. Patient navigators assist individuals in applying to the Harris Health Financial Assistance program and/or navigating them to other safety net clinics where they may obtain suitable cancer screening exams.  

Community Outreach

In addition to our clinic-based education tools, we extend our reach through our Theater Outreach Program. In collaboration with community organizations, we provide evidence-based, culturally, and linguistically targeted theatrical performances that educate community members about colorectal and cervical cancer risk factors, current screening guidelines, and available resources. Performances are delivered live by professional actors and actresses, with a virtual option available through pre-recorded presentations.

The colorectal cancer performances include “The Bottom Line” (English/African American monologue), “La Vida es Un Sueño” (Hispanic monologue), “Educando a Papá” (Hispanic play), and “The Marriage Test” (English/African American play). The colorectal cancer awareness monologue targeted to the Vietnamese community, “Uncle Vu Has the Answer”, airs every other month (third Wednesday of the month) on VieTV, a Vietnamese language broadcast television network based in Houston.

The cervical cancer performances include “A Well-Tuned Engine” (English/African American monologue), and “Mi Decisión" (Hispanic monologue). The cervical cancer awareness monologue targeted to the Vietnamese community, “My Friends’ Health is My Business”, airs every other month (third Wednesday of the month) on VieTV, a Vietnamese language broadcast television network based in Houston.

Learn more about our Outreach Programs and Educational Resources.