Conceptual Model
Colorectal cancer has the second highest fatalities in Pennsylvania, behind lung cancer. Colorectal cancer, also colon cancer, occurs in the lower part of the digestive system ( Bibbins-Domingo et al., 2016 ). Proving screening services and providing awareness to individuals can help deaths due to this cancer in the state. The Preventive Services Task Force of the U.S advises testing for colorectal cancer for those who are at higher risk between ages 50 and 75 years ( Schreuders et al., 2015 ). The screening and awareness initiative applies the Social Ecological Model (SEM) to effectively address the multiple influences of personal and environmental factors on health behavior. These factors include individual, interpersonal, community, institutional, and policy.
Individual characteristics play a role in the screening rates for colorectal cancer. They include attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, personality, economic status, age, and race/ethnicity ( Gregory, Wilson, Duncan, Turnbull, Cole, & Young, 2011 ). Interpersonal characteristics such as social networks and social support systems can provide support or create barriers to screening. The community relationships such as formal or informal relationships among institutions and organizations can either limit or enhance the colorectal screening initiative ( Nuss, Williams, Hayden, & Huard, 2012 ). Institutions and organizations should have rules and regulations that promote health behaviors such as screenings rather than those that constrain. Lastly, the policies by the local, state, and federal authorities should allocate resources and offer support to various initiative that is aimed at fighting colorectal cancer.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Screening Purpose
The primary aim of colorectal cancer screening is to boost awareness and diagnosis services among people of the ages between 50 and 75. The initiative will offer support strategies and follow-up services for some people who are eligible. Statistics show that older people are at high risk since about 90% of the incidences occur in individuals 50 years and above (Bibbins-Domingo et al., 2016). In the state of Pennsylvania, colorectal cancer is a leading threat alongside lung cancer.
Population
The colorectal cancer screening initiative aim is to screening individuals of ages between 50 and 75 from all backgrounds, genders, races, and religion ( Schreuders et al., 2015 ). The initiative will provide services to the people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Screening Activity
The testing for colorectal cancer should begin at 50 to 75 years using colonoscopy, fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy. This initiative, the screening activities will be based on stool tests. They entail:
The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
gFOBT is a test carried out to detect blood in the stool by using the chemical guaiac ( Schreuders et al., 2015 ). Test kits will be provided to individuals to obtain small amounts of stool samples for testing whether there is the presence of blood.
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
FIT makes use of antibodies to spot blood in the fecal specimen. The procedure for FIT is the same way as gFOBT ( Schreuders et al., 2015 ).
Both gFOBT and FIT are carried out once in a year. Therefore, individuals who wish to do the screening must meet this criterion.
Other activities will include colorectal cancer awareness and prevention. The people will be educated about colorectal cancer and made aware of its risk factors, and how they can promote awareness and support others (Gregory et al., 2011). Colorectal cancer prevention education will be provided, where individuals will be taught how to avoid the risk factors of colorectal cancer. Body weight has been linked with colorectal cancer. Therefore, one should avoid being overweight. Physical activities and diets that are rich in nuitrients can lower the risk of colorectal cancer (Bibbins-Domingo et al., 2016). Things to avoid are alcohol, smoking, and red and processed meat. The local institutions, including the Philadelphia Senior Center, will also be urged to formulate rules and regulations that support colorectal cancer screening.
Outcome Goals
Increase colorectal cancer screening rates in people of ages between 50 and 75
Increase colorectal cancer awareness among people who are aged between 50 and 75 or older
To encourage routinely follow-ups for improved health outcomes for people with colorectal cancer
Location
The screening services will take place at the Philadelphia Senior Center from 9.00 am on Saturday and Sunday. The Center offers services for adults of 55 years and above, and so we will be able to screen more people.
Cost Description
| Items | description | Cost of items |
| Meeting room or rooms | The exercise requires at least two rooms, one for training and awareness and the other for screening. The two rooms will be rented at the center, or use an outside tent. However, it is possible that the center administration may allow usage of the room for free since its voluntary exercise. | A tent costs around $350-$500. Averagely, rental costs will be between $400-$600 |
| Testing equipment | FOBT/FIT kits will be used to conduct the screening exercise. On average, a home test kit costs around $19-$25. This expense shall be covered by the patients. | Average costs for 300 initial kits is $6,300 |
| Lab equipment | The costs will be significantly low, below $3 per test | Averagely cost for 300 tests is $900 |
| Human resources | The exercise requires two volunteer nurses who will offer education about colorectal cancer, at least four to provide screening services and two to distribute the kits. On average, volunteers are paid $17 per hour, with $6 being the lowest. | Estimated cost per hour is $8. The exercise is expected to take a maximum of 7hour. Total estimated human resource cost is $448 |
| Other costs | Lunch and additional expenses | Average cost estimate is $100 |
| Total estimated costs |
$8,348 |
Summary
Pennsylvania is ranked among the top states in colorectal cancer mortality in the US. Screening for this type of cancer should be emphasized and be given priority by the authorities, institutions, and organizations. Discovering colorectal cancer in its early stages reduces the cost of treatment significantly. Therefore, the government and individuals will spend less when it comes to treatment procedures. The screening will also reduce the rate of mortality, especially when the cancer is detected early. Detecting cancer soon makes it easily treatable as compared to late diagnosis.
References
Bibbins-Domingo, K., Grossman, D. C., Curry, S. J., Davidson, K. W., Epling, J. W., García, F. A., ... & Kurth, A. E. (2016). Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Jama , 315 (23), 2564-2575.
Gregory, T. A., Wilson, C., Duncan, A., Turnbull, D., Cole, S. R., & Young, G. (2011). Demographic, social cognitive and social ecological predictors of intention and participation in screening for colorectal cancer. BMC public health , 11 (1), 38.
Nuss, H. J., Williams, D. L., Hayden, J., & Huard, C. R. (2012). Applying the social ecological model to evaluate a demonstration colorectal cancer screening program in Louisiana. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved , 23 (3), 1026-1035.
Schreuders, E. H., Ruco, A., Rabeneck, L., Schoen, R. E., Sung, J. J., Young, G. P., & Kuipers, E. J. (2015). Colorectal cancer screening: a global overview of existing programmes. Gut , 64 (10), 1637-1649.
