Rise Up, Get Tested, and Live: an Arts-Based Colorectal Cancer Educational Program in a Faith-Based Setting

Engaging community members in efforts to reduce cancer-related health disparities through community mini-grant programs has been shown to have meaningful impact. A predominantly African-American church in South Carolina was awarded a community mini-grant to increase awareness about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among disproportionally high-risk African-American communities through culturally appropriate arts-based cancer education. The church's pastor, health and wellness ministry, and drama ministry created a theatrical production called Rise Up, Get Tested, and Live. Over 100 attendees viewed the play. A pre/post-test evaluation design assessed the effectiveness of the production in increasing participants' knowledge about CRC and examined their intentions to be screened. Results showed increased knowledge about CRC, increased awareness and understanding about the importance of CRC screening, and favorable intentions about CRC screening. Findings suggest that arts-based cancer education may be an effective tool for the dissemination of information about CRC screening.