Storytelling for promoting colorectal cancer prevention and early detection among Latinos.

OBJECTIVE

Health promotion efforts directed at Latinos may be more effective when culturally adapted methods are used. Our study was designed to test a novel communication modality for promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and screening messages among Latinos.

METHODS

We compared a culturally aligned, brief storytelling educational intervention (ST) to a numeric risk tool intervention (NR) based on the Harvard Cancer Risk Index. Both interventions included risk factor information and recommendations for primary prevention and screening for CRC. Sixty-four Latinos (mean age 46.8, 86% female) were randomized and completed pre- and post-tests.

RESULTS

Participants in ST indicated intent to add significantly more servings of vegetables (p=.030) and more minutes of exercise (p=.018) to daily routines than those in NR. Most respondents (ST and NR) reported intentions to recommend CRC screening to friends and relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide support for storytelling's potential to promote health behavior change with cultural relevance for Latinos.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Storytelling shows promise as an effective method for reaching one of the historically underserved ethnic groups with cancer prevention and screening information.