For over 15 years, we at the Office of Outreach and Health Disparities in the Dan L Ducan Comprehensive Cancer Center at 91国产视频 have been committed to addressing cancer disparities by creating a broad collection of evidence-based educational resources aimed to inform and support medically underserved, minority, and diverse populations. Many of these educational resources have been developed in partnership with organizations from the Community Network for Cancer Prevention (CNCP) and are integrated into the clinical practice of CNCP members. These materials are utilized by our healthcare partners, including Harris Health, San Jose Clinic, Tomagwa Healthcare Ministries and other community clinics, to enhance their cancer prevention efforts. Each resource is culturally and linguistically tailored to meet the needs of Black or African American, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and Vietnamese communities. We are grateful to the (CPRIT) for funding throughout the years the development and implementation of many of the educational materials presented here.
Breast Cancer Screening and Education
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States and it is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer may be detected early with regular screening. Screening can prevent breast cancer by finding abnormal changes in the cells or cancerous tumors of the breast that can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body. When breast cancer is detected early, it increases the chances of successful treatment.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer start screening at age 45. Women should be screened yearly until they are age 54. Women age 55 and older should speak with their doctor to decide if they should continue to get screened every year or every other year.
The American Cancer Society also recommends that women with a higher risk of developing breast cancer should start screening earlier at age 30. These individuals include those with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, first-degree relatives (i.e., parents, siblings, children) with a gene mutation, radiation therapy of the chest before age 30, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of those syndromes.
Please visit the American Cancer Society website for additional information on and .
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows doctors to look for breast tissue changes that may suggest the presence of breast cancer. If necessary, a doctor will recommend a breast biopsy for further examination. The machine used for a mammogram has two plates that compress or flatten the breast to spread the tissue apart. Less radiation is used since the machine only looks at the breast tissue.
Three-dimensional (3D) mammograms, also known as a digital breast tomosynthesis, have become more common than the standard (2D) mammograms. With a 2D mammogram, each breast is compressed from top to bottom and from side to side for two different angles, providing a two-dimensional view of the breast. In a 3D mammogram, the breast is compressed in the same manner and the machine moves in a small arc around the breast, taking multiple x-rays and providing a three-dimensional view of the breasts. Patients can undergo either the 2D or 3D mammogram to comply with regular screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society.
Visit the American Cancer Society website for more information about .
The CNCP and its clinical partners created videos to help patients understand the importance of regular breast cancer screening. These culturally appropriate videos are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. They are aimed to educate patients, improve screening rates, and strengthen communication between doctors and patients about breast cancer screening. Patients receiving care at the Harris Health, who are due or past due for a mammogram screening, are asked to view the educational video about breast cancer screening at the point-of-care in exam-room computers immediately before their doctors鈥 visit. The Breast Cancer Screening Videos may be accessed on the Online Health Library under the 鈥淏reast Cancer鈥 tab.
American Cancer Society. (2021). What Is Breast Cancer? | American Cancer Society. ; American Cancer Society.
American Cancer Society. (2022, January 14). Breast Cancer Mammogram | How Does a Mammogram Work? ; American Cancer Society.
American Cancer Society. (2023, December 19). American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer. .
American Cancer Society. (2024, January 12). Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. American Cancer Society.
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Education
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the United States and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. CRC may be detected with regular screening. Screening tests are important because they can help prevent CRC by detecting precancerous growths (known as polyps) in the colon or rectum or help detect the cancer early when it鈥檚 small and hasn鈥檛 spread. When CRC is detected early, it can be easily treated.
The and other organizations have developed screening guidelines for people at average and high risk for colorectal cancer. Men and women who are 45 years of age and older should be regularly screened for colorectal cancer. Some individuals with higher risk need to be tested at an earlier age. According to the American Cancer Society, individuals who have certain intestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn鈥檚 disease), inheritable colon cancer syndromes (familial adenomatous posis and Lynch syndrome) are at high risk of colorectal cancer and should begin screening at even younger age.
Selected Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
The fecal occult blood test, also known as FOBT, screens for small amounts of blood in a patient鈥檚 stool sample. This test can be done at home and patients are asked to follow a special diet and avoid taking certain drugs that may affect the test results. If blood is found in the stool, additional exams, such as a colonoscopy, may be necessary, since the presence of blood can be a sign of colon cancer.
When to Have the FOBT?
FOBT is a screening test that is done every year. When performed annually FOBT allows physicians to track patients at high risk for CRC.
For more information about the CRC screening test , visit the American Cancer Society website.
FOBT Educational Materials
The FOBT education materials in use by some of the CRC Screening Project鈥檚 clinical partners include the FOBT Educational Videos and printed patient instruction guides.
FOBT Educational Videos
During their clinic visit, patients eligible for CRC screening can view a brief educational video about CRC screening in English or Spanish before speaking with their physician.
The FOBT Educational videos can be viewed in the Online Health Library under the 鈥淐olorectal Cancer鈥 tab.
Printed Instruction Guide for FOBT
This printed guide is a set of easy-to-read step-by-step instructions for the FOBT. The guide is designed to help patients complete their FOBT screening in the privacy of their homes. It explains how to perform the test, how to properly store the specimens, and where to return them.
At the end of the clinic visit, a clinical team member explains the instructional guide to the patient and provides a printed copy.
View the guide in or .
The fecal immunochemical test, also known as FIT, is another screening test for CRC. Like the FOBT, the FIT detects small amounts of blood in feces, which might be a sign of a polyp or cancer. FIT is performed the same way as the traditional FOBT, which can be done from home. The FIT test does not require following a special diet or using special drugs to prepare for the test. If blood is found in the stool, additional exams, such as a colonoscopy, may be necessary, since the presence of blood can be a sign of colon cancer.
When to Have the FIT?
The FIT is performed annually, beginning at age 45. The FIT allows physicians to track patients at high risk for CRC.
For more information about the CRC screening test , visit the American Cancer Society website.
I-FIT Kit and Educational Materials
Current FIT materials used by our clinical partners in our CPRIT-funded project is the i-FIT kit 鈥 which includes a distribution bag provided to patients with materials for stool collection and resources to assist them in doing the test at home. The resources provided are printed patient instructions, educational videos, and a telephone hotline to hear the content of the printed instruction forms.
I-FIT Kit
The multilingual i-FIT kits (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) are provided to patients at Harris Health at the point of care and contain printed patient instructions for collecting the stool sample, a sample collection bottle, and a biohazard bag. These materials are included in a biodegradable distribution bag developed for individual patients to carry all of their sample collection supplies discreetly, including a reminder to take the test and information for returning the sample. The purpose of the i-FIT kit is to:
- Increase knowledge and awareness of CRC screening guidelines and services among Harris Health patients.
- Provide tools to health providers to educate patients about CRC screening resources available at the state, regional, and local levels.
- Increase rates of referral and follow-up of abnormal i-FIT results through the Harris Health.
- Increase the proportion of patients identified as being at risk for CRC.
- Increase the proportion of patients diagnosed with CRC in precancerous or early stages of the disease
I-FIT Educational Videos
Eligible patients (due or past due for CRC screening) in the Harris Health are identified by the nursing staff during patient intake through the Epic system health-maintenance module in the patient鈥檚 electronic medical record system. The nurse asks eligible patients to select and view a brief educational video about CRC screening in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese before their encounter with their physician.
The i-FIT educational videos can be viewed online on the Online Health Library under the 鈥淐olorectal Cancer鈥 tab. Links to access the video from home are provided in the i-FIT Patient Printed Instructions.
Printed Instruction Guide for i-FIT
At the end of the clinic visit, a Harris Health staff member explains this instructional guide to the patient. This printed guide is a set of easy-to-read step-by-step instructions for the i-FIT in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. It explains how to perform the test, how to properly store the specimens, and where to return them. The guide is designed to help patients complete their i-FIT screening in the privacy of their homes.
View the guide in , , and .
A colonoscopy is a screening test that uses a scope to examine the inside of the entire colon and rectum for abnormal growths (polyps). This test is more sensitive and accurate than the FOBT and FIT. This procedure requires that patients follow dietary and medication restrictions to be accurate. Patients are also asked to drink a liquid solution to clean and empty their colon before their procedure. The test aims to find and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into colorectal cancer.
Who Should Have a Colonoscopy?
Based on the recommendations of the American Cancer Society:
Men and women 45 years of age and older who are at average risk of colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years. Men and women with a family history of colorectal cancer should first be screened at age 40 (or at an age that is 10 years younger than the age at which the youngest immediate family member was diagnosed with the disease) and should be screened once every 5 years.
Individuals who have certain intestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn鈥檚 disease), inheritable colon cancer syndromes (familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome) are at high risk of colorectal cancer and should begin screening at even younger age.
Men and women who have had polyps or other precancerous tissues removed and those who have had CRC should only be screened with a colonoscopy.
In the Harris Health, when patients have a positive FIT result or present to the clinic with symptoms suspicious of for colon cancer, they are referred to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy Educational Materials
To help patients understand how to prepare for the procedure properly, the Community Network for Cancer Prevention in collaboration with the clinical staff of the Harris Health, developed colonoscopy preparation videos and colonoscopy instruction printed guides.
Preparing for a Colonoscopy Educational Videos
Patients referred to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy can view a brief educational video about preparing for a colonoscopy. The videos are designed to help patients properly prepare for a colonoscopy and they are complementary to the printed patient information instructions provided to them in preparation for the procedure. Each video is culturally and linguistically appropriate for Black or African-Americans, non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, and Vietnamese men and women. Patients in the Harris Health may be prescribed either the Golytely or MoviPrep solutions to empty and clean their colon before the colonoscopy procedure. Patients may access the instructional videos in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese, which describe the steps to prepare for the procedure using the Golytely or MoviPrep solutions.
The videos include detailed instructions on how to prepare the solutions, when and how often to drink them, dietary and drug restrictions, and the timing for special medications before the test. Additionally, the video includes information about what to expect during the procedure, the duration, and any physical restrictions afterward.
The preparation for a colonoscopy videos using Golytely and MoviPrep are found in the Online Health Library under the 鈥淐olorectal Cancer鈥 tab. Shortly, the colonoscopy preparation videos will soon be available for viewing at the point-of-care within the Harris Health.
Printed Instruction Guide for Colonoscopy Preparation
The printed colonoscopy preparation instructional guides are a set of easy-to-read instruction sheets given to Harris Health patients, specific to the solution (Golytely or MoviPrep). The instruction guide indicates when they are scheduled to undergo the colonoscopy, step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the solution, when and how often to drink them, dietary and drug restrictions, and timing for special medications before the test. Additionally, the instruction guide includes links to the educational videos, a telephone hotline to hear the content of the printed instruction guide, and important post-procedure information.
The instruction guides are available for patients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
View the Golytely guide in , , and .
View the MoviPrep guide in , , and .
For more information about or other , visit the American Cancer Society website.
American Cancer Society. (2024a, January 29). Colorectal Cancer Guideline | How Often to Have Screening Tests. Colorectal Cancer Guideline | How Often to Have Screening Tests. ,
American Cancer Society. (2024b, February 16). Colonoscopy.
American Cancer Society.
American Cancer Society. (2024c, March 4). Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests | Sigmoidoscopy & Colonoscopy. .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Cancer Statistics Colorectal Cancer Stat Bite. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024.
Cervical Cancer Screening and Education
Cervical cancer is caused by changes to the healthy cells in the cervix. Regular screening can find abnormal cells in the cervix early so doctors can treat them before turning into cancer. When cervical cancer is detected early, it can often be treated successfully.
Certain factors can increase a woman鈥檚 chance of having cervical cancer, including:
- Human Papillomavirus infection
- Smoking
- HIV/AIDS
- Chlamydia infection
- Being overweight
- Multiple full-term pregnancies
- Young age at the first full-term pregnancy
- Family history of cervical cancer
Even women without risk factors can still get cervical cancer. This is why it is important for every woman to have regular HPV or HPV/Pap tests.
The Human Papillomavirus, also known as HPV, is a virus that is the primary cause of cervical cancer. This virus is very common, and an estimated in the United States currently have it. While there is no treatment for HPV itself, there are treatments for the symptoms caused by HPV that can include treatment of warts, cell changes, pre-cancers, and cancers. In addition to cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers include cancers of the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
The HPV vaccine can help prevent HPV infections, reducing the risk for cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 12. Teens and young adults up to age 45 can still get vaccinated.
HPV Test and HPV/Pap Cotest
The HPV/Pap Cotest is a test that screens for cervical cancer. It includes:
- The HPV test, which looks for high-risk viruses.
- The Pap test, which checks for cancer cells or abnormal changes in the cervix.
Both tests use the same cell sample, and together, they are more effective than the Pap test alone.
The recommends the following screening guidelines for cervical cancer:
- Start cervical cancer screening at age 25.
- Get a primary HPV test every five years until age 65.
- If a primary HPV test is unavailable, getting an HPV/Pap test every 5 years or a Pap test alone every 3 years.
- Women over 65 with a history of abnormal cervical cells should continue screening.
- People with HIV, an organ transplant, or exposure to the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) may need more frequent Pap tests.
The American Cancer Society also has guidelines for when women may stop Pap tests. Their recommendations to stop cervical screening tests are:
- They had their uterus and cervix removed and have no history of cervical cancer.
- They are 65 or older, had regular Pap tests, and their results were normal.
Visit the American Cancer Society website to learn more about Cervical cancer and .
Some of the clinical partners in the CRC Screening Project use Cervical Cancer Educational Videos in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese to educate their patients.
At the Harris Health, nurses identify patients who are due or overdue for screening through the Epic system health-maintenance module in the patient鈥檚 electronic medical records. Before seeing the doctor, the nurse asks eligible patients to watch a short educational video in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese about cervical cancer screening.
The Cervical Cancer Patient Education videos may also be accessed and viewed on the Online Health Library under the 鈥淐ervical Cancer鈥 tab.
American Cancer Society. (2020, July 30). HPV and Cancer | Human Papillomavirus and Cancer. .
American Cancer Society. (2021, April 22). The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer. .
American Cancer Society. (2023, January 13). Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer. .
Cancer Education Resource Websites
The following is a listing of useful websites to learn more about breast, colorectal, cervical cancer and HPV education.
- Cancer information for patients, family, friends, and survivors
- Facts and figures, treatment decision tools, clinical trials, and personal stories
- Coordination of research projects conducted by universities, hospitals, research foundations, and businesses throughout the world
- Information on all types of cancer as well as clinical trials
- Professional support services for anyone affected by cancer
- Counseling, education, financial assistance, and practical help provided free of charge by trained oncology social workers
- Integrated programs in cancer treatment, clinical trials, education programs, and cancer prevention
- Information on all types of cancer as well as clinical trials