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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Storytelling for promoting colorectal cancer prevention and early detection among Latinos
Linda K Larkey1, Julie Gonzalez
1University of Arizona, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, USA. larkeylite@msn.com
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.
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