1. Internship Abstract
Title: Community Cancer Outreach Program,Evaluation, & Analysis
Name: Nicole Hurtado
Preceptors: Mr. Gilbert Baez,Manager of Outpatient Oncology Services and Mrs. Amy Lewis,
Coordinator of NJCEED Program
Agency: Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center and NJ Cancer Education
and Early Detection (NJCEED)
Purpose: To analyze data from cancer screenings, statistics, and surveys that identifies high risk
populations in Morris County and recommend evidence based interventions to reach those individuals.
Significance: As of October 2014, 6.8% of the Morris County population did not have health
insurance. The New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection program provides cancer screening
services for people who are uninsured, live in the Morris County area,and have incomes within the 250%
federalpoverty rate. There are specific populations that meet the criteria and demonstrate a need for
screenings, specifically Hispanics. For age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000) in Morris County,
colorectal cancer ranks for 8th highest for Hispanics (35.4). Hispanics have the 3rd highest mortality rate
for male and female colorectal cancer with 13.1%. Therefore,it is important to aim the outreach program
towards this particular population in order for education and screenings to improve as well as decrease the
incidence and mortality rates of certain cancers.
Method/Approach: The NJCEED staff utilizes data from the State Cancer Profiles which originates
from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. They also use
www.njhealthmatters.org and www.census.gov to update any statistics they provide regarding specific
populations and health statistics. After interpreting the data necessary for targeting specific populations
that need cancer screenings and compiling patient surveys on suggested areas to outreach towards,the
program goes to public areas such as churches,agencies, community programs, grocery stores,etc. to
educate and enroll eligible people into the program.
Outcomes: Satisfaction surveys, conducted by the staff, show over 90% of patients being satisfied with
the screenings that are being currently held. The survey includes recommendations for the program to
outreach towards specific areas in the community, and is implemented for future screenings. In addition,
about 70-80% of the patients that have taken customer satisfaction surveys from previous are Hispanic.
With this information, the program has currently decided to reach towns with an increase in the Hispanic
population in the Morris County area. The focus will be on a small town called Butler, and the program
will be responsible for educating the growing Hispanic community in the area as well as implement future
screenings that will be held. Hispanic members of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church are most willing to
participate in the implementation of this program to the community.
Evaluation: In order for the program to continue their outreach and screenings in the future, it is
essential for further satisfaction surveys, pre and post-tests, and recommendations to be done after the
screenings and education programs are held. This aids in further researching of possible places that have
a rising Hispanic population in the Morris County area,and possesses the need to be educated regarding
specific cancers.