Graduation Year

2016

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Department Name when Degree Awarded

Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Mary DeLetter

Department Affiliation

Nursing

Second Advisor

Donna J. Corley

Department Affiliation

Nursing

Third Advisor

Melanie A. Johnson

Department Affiliation

Nursing

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in Kentucky and in the US. Although early detection and diagnosis greatly affect survival rates, only about half (58.2%) of the US population participates in screening (Screening Rates, 2016). Two of the previously reported barriers with colorectal cancer screening are provider neglect to fully educate patients on the need for screening and patient compliance with screening recommendations. The purpose of this capstone project was to implement community-based CRC education and screening. Watson’s Human Caring Theory and Prochaska and DiClemente’s (1992) transtheoretical model to change behaviors and make informed decisions provided a framework for the project. Partnering with Baptist Health Madisonville, CRC educational sessions and free screening opportunities were provided for 193 City of Madisonville, Kentucky employees. CRC knowledge was assessed before and after the educational session with the Sanchez Knowledge Assessment Survey (Sanchez et al., 2913). A paired t-test indicated that mean CRC knowledge scores improved significantly following the educational sessions (t (181) = 35.289, p < .0001). Over half of the participants (130/193) elected to take home a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening kits. The final analysis of screening results yielded 29 participants submitting their screening kits for evaluation; 8 have been positive for colon cancer indictors. All participants have been notified of their screening results; those with positive results have received referral recommendations. The community-based CRC project was effective in improving CRC knowledge and screening participation.

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