UPR/MDACC: Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research

University Of Puerto Rico Med Sciences, San Juan PR

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract On September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and María devastated the Caribbean region, particularly Puerto Rico (PR), causing widespread destruction and resulting in massive resource losses and high economics costs. During the emergency recovery phase, research activities were limited, which lead to a disruption in ongoing cancer prevention and control initiatives that were being implemented with the aim to decrease the burden of cancer health disparities in the island. Despite our significant impact on community engagement, outreach, and training, the impact of Hurricane María in September 2017 and its aftermath affected significantly our recruitment, follow-up completion, and the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of our project ¡Salud!, Por la Vida. Given that the recruitment venues for our program (Federally Health Qualified Clinics (FQHCs)) served as emergency operation centers, study recruitment has been delayed. As of December 1st, 2018, we have completed 47% of the recruitment. Therefore, the request for funds under the Supplement to Recover Losses Due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PA-18-936) is to support the completion of the behavioral trial. Therefore, the aims for this supplement are to complete the recruitment of the group for the randomized intervention trial (377 participants) to assess the effectiveness of the intervention on Colorectal Cancer Screening (CRCS) completion (aim 1) and to assess the cost- effectiveness and budget impact of the CRCS intervention (aim 2). If granted, this project will provide a much-needed support to increase CRCS among vulnerable populations and will help increase awareness of the importance of resuming screening practices as now the island continues to recover from the catastrophic impact.