| dc.description.abstract | Colorectal cancer is a prevalent and deadly disease, claiming thousands of lives each year. In the United States alone, over 150,000 individuals were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022, and tragically, nearly 53,000 succumbed to its impact (National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2022). Notably, North Dakota faces a unique scenario, with incidence rates per capita surpassing the national average, yet colorectal cancer screening rates lag behind. This disconcerting situation in North Dakota emphasizes a need for targeted public health interventions, increased awareness campaigns, and improved access to colorectal cancer screening services.
Early detection through screening is a pivotal tool in the battle against colorectal cancer, often identifying the disease in its precancerous or early stages, thereby significantly reducing mortality rates. Technologies are available and offer non-invasive, painless, cost-effective, and practical manners that can sometimes be tailored to the individual's preferences. Despite these advancements, the United States and North Dakota fall short of the 80% CRC screening benchmark established by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Shockingly, in 2020, only 63% of eligible North Dakotans underwent colorectal cancer screening, which is 10% below the national average and well below the national benchmark. High incidence rates, mortality rates, and increasing incidence of early-onset CRC indicate a need for immediate action.
Efforts to bridge the gap between increasing incidence rates and low screening rates are essential to save lives and reduce the burden of colorectal cancer in North Dakota. This evidence-based scholarly project aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention on colorectal cancer awareness and screening intent. The intervention involved scripted guided tours of a larger-than-life inflatable colon, a PowerPoint presentation set on loop, and educational handouts all strategically deployed during a health fair sponsored by the Missouri Valley YMCA in Bismarck, ND. Participants, ranging from 18 to 75 years old, engaged with the educational initiative, with the primary goal of enhancing their knowledge of colorectal cancer and influencing their intent to undergo screening. Additionally, the co-investigator sought to uncover and address perceived barriers to colorectal cancer screening within this specific demographic. | en_US |
