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You're never too old: a cancer education and risk reduction program for the elderly
M A List1, M H Maskay, K G Blumberg
1University of Chicago Cancer Research Center and the Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637-9848, USA.
Background:
Although age is the most significant risk factor for cancer, older adults are less likely to be informed about and to follow through with screening procedures.
Methods:
The University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, working in collaboration with health educators and city elderly organizations, developed a carefully scripted, hour-long presentation on cancer awareness and screening, designed specifically for older adults. The program was designed to be delivered in the community by trained graduate students. Pre-post-program surveys were used to evaluate the program's effectiveness in increasing cancer awareness.
Results:
The presentation was delivered 40 times at Chicago nutrition sites, regional senior centers, retirement homes, and community clinics, reaching close to 1,000 individuals. Responses to revised surveys showed improvements of an average of 22 (ranging from one to 41) percentage points per question.
Conclusions:
This program gives older adults the basic knowledge and tools they need to take more active roles in their health care, follow healthier lifestyles, and reduce cancer risk.