Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
The goal of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program is to increase screening rates among MGH Chelsea patients and to reduce screening disparities between white and Latino patients.
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at MGH Chelsea works to decrease disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates between Latino and white patients, and to increase screening rates among low-income patients and patients with limited English proficiency.
The Colon Cancer Care Coordinators provide education in Spanish, English, and Serbo-Croatian on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening options and explores the patient’s barriers to CRC screening. They offer “navigation” to help overcome barriers, including scheduling and reminding patients about appointments, helping patients access insurance, explaining instructions for their gastrointestinal preparation, translating written material, and providing emotional support. The coordinators also accompany patients to their gastrointestinal appointments and provide medical interpretation if needed.
To evaluate efficacy of the program, a randomized controlled trial was carried out from January to October of 2007. Patients 52 to 79 years old at MGH Chelsea who were overdue for CRC screening were randomized to an intervention group and assigned a navigator, and a control group that received usual care. Over the nine-month period, intervention patients were more likely to undergo CRC screening than control patients (27% vs. 12%). The majority of the difference among intervention and control patients was attributable to significantly higher colonoscopy rates (21% vs. 10%), one form of screening.
In 2012, 125 colonoscopies were completed and 105 polyps were removed.
The Colon Cancer Coordinator scheduled 351 appointments, provided 283 appointment reminders, 233 provider/clinic communications, 158 procedure preparation instructions, 148 patients with education, 104 language translations, 38 transportation assistance, 31 accompanied to appointments, 29 pharmacy assistance, 2 home visits and 1 social services referral
Three presentations on the colorectal program/results reached 241 people and a recurring Chelsea cable television educational show has reached approximately 1500 people in the community.
Ostomy Support Group
We welcome patients with a new or existing colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, and their family and friends, to monthly meetings of the Massachusetts General Hospital Ostomy Support Group.
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Navigator Program at Mass General Chelsea Healthcare Center is reducing disparities in screening rates among minority patients.
http://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/about/newsarticle.aspx?id=2605
MGH Research Scholar Dr. Gary Tearney’s Work With Imaging
Gary Tearney, MD, PhD, works at the intersection of medicine, science and engineering. He and his team are developing imaging technologies so they can peer into tiny spaces within the body. They can now see into structures in the walls of arteries that supply blood to our hearts. What they see will help them save lives.
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Navigator Program at Mass General Chelsea Healthcare Center is reducing disparities in screening rates among minority patients.
http://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/about/newsarticle.aspx?id=2605
Ostomy Support Group
We welcome patients with a new or existing colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, and their family and friends, to monthly meetings of the Massachusetts General Hospital Ostomy Support Group.
Luz Betancourt
Phone: 617 887-3789
