Question

Outline a proposal for health education that can be used in a family-centered health promotion to address the issue for the COPD population. Ensure your proposal is based on evidence-based practice.

Answer 1

Awareness of Colorectal Cancer among Black African American group

The black African American group has more risk to develop colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) than any other ethnic groups in the USA. When compared to White men and women, the incident rate of colorectal cancer is 24% higher in African American men and 19% higher in African American women. It is the third most common cancer reported among African American group with an estimated 19,740 cases expected to occur in 2019.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented by early screening tests through which precancerous polyps can be detected and removed. The importance of early detection must be emphasized in the health education plan.

Screening Tests

Fecal occult blood tests, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy are the available screening tests. Encourage to do Fecal occult blood tests annually. Sigmoidoscopy can be done every 5 years and colonoscopy can be done every 5 to 10 years or when the Fecal occult blood test or sigmoidoscopy is positive.

90% of the colorectal cancer deaths are preventable. In addition to the screening tests, regular exercises and eating a well-balanced diet also is important in the prevention. Encourage to eat more vegetables and to reduce the consumption of red meats. Also, encourage to avoid smoking and to avoid excessive drinking of alcohol. Maintaining optimum weight is also an important factor in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Some studies proved that the intake of calcium supplements will reduce the growth rate of polyps. If there is previous history of polyps, a lower dose of aspirin is recommended to reduce further development of polyps.

The African American Health Program (AAHP) along with Colorectal Cancer Alliance is observing this March as a National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. They are planning so many public awareness and health education campaigns with the theme ' Don't Assume'. This campaign is to correct the assumptions and misbelieves among the group regarding the onset of colorectal cancer and to encourage early screening tests.

The most common assumption is that colorectal cancer occurs only to old people, but it is proved that colorectal cancer occurs at an early age in African Americans than other racial groups. Through these campaigns and health educations, all the African American group members are encouraged to undergo regular screening tests from the age of 45 itself. Early detection is very crucial in colorectal cancer since the treatment works best at early stages.

The African American Health Program (AAHP) is an organization in Montgomery County which is established to remove the disparities in health care for African Americans and to improve the health and the quality of their lives. This organization is aiming that African Americans will have a healthy and safe lifestyle as the rest of the population. Montgomery County DHHS funds this organization and members include specialists from related professions and representatives from various community organizations. They implement strategies for specific health objectives like reducing infant mortalities, prevention, and treatment of communicable diseases etc. They are working in collaboration with a volunteer executive committee.

National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the American Cancer Society, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Cancer Screening Committee of the World Endoscopy Organization etc. provides the resources for the education plan about colorectal cancer.