Interactive Computer Program or Brochure in Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans

OBJECTIVES:

- Compare rates of participation in fecal occult blood testing and endoscopic screening
(colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) among African-Americans who receive an interactive
computer intervention (ICI) versus a non-tailored colorectal cancer screening brochure.

- Examine mediators and moderators of intervention effectiveness as depicted in the
conceptual model.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Participants are stratified according to age (≤ 65 years old vs > 65 years old) and gender.
Participants are randomized to one of two arms.

- Arm I (non-tailored colorectal cancer screening brochure): Participants undergo a
baseline interview via telephone and receive a colorectal cancer screening brochure in
the clinic prior to visit with healthcare provider. Participants then undergo telephone
interviews at 1 week, 6 months, and 15 months.

- Arm II (interactive computer intervention [ICI]): Participants undergo a baseline
interview via telephone and complete an ICI in the clinic prior to visit with
healthcare provider. Participants then undergo telephone interviews at 1 week, 6
months, and 15 months.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Currently being seen in the primary care clinics of either Wishard Memorial Hospital
OR Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center

- African-American who is currently non-adherent to screening guidelines, meeting all
of the following criteria:

- No fecal occult blood test in the past 12 months

- No sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years

- No colonoscopy in the past 10 years

- Patients with average and increased risk for colorectal cancer are eligible

- No personal history of colorectal cancer

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Participants must have a telephone

- English-speaking

- Able to read at a 5th grade reading level

- No medical condition that prohibits colorectal cancer screening

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics