Evaluation of ENCOREplus - A community-based breast and cervical cancer screening program

Background: Minority women and women with low income levels are significant ly less likely to practice appropriate mammography and Pap test screening. ENCOREplus is a health promotion program that provides outreach, education, referral, and other services that facilitate breast and cervical cancer sc reening for medically underserved women. The program is delivered through a network of community-based nonprofit organizations (YMCA of the U.S.A.). T he purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ENCOREplus in p romoting mammography and Pap test screening among women who were nonadheren t to screening guidelines. Methods: Baseline data were collected from women participating in the progr am. Follow-up occurred within six months of baseline to assess whether or n ot enrollees received recommended screenings. Screening-completion rates we re compared to rates from other published intervention studies. Results: Data from the program's second implementation year show that 27,49 4 women participated in the ENCOREplus program. Over half the women were ra cial/ethnic minorities, over 75% reported annual incomes under $15,000, and 49% reported no insurance. among women 40 and over, 69.7% were nonadherent to ACS mammography screening guidelines at baseline. Among participants 18 and older, 68.9% were nonadherent to Pap test screening guidelines. Of non adherent participants, 57.8% received mammograms and 36.5% received Pap tes ts. Both mammography and Pap test screening-completion rates compared favor ably with other programs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that programs implemented through comm unity-based organizations can be successful in increasing mammography and P ap test screening among lo cy-income and minority women.