Introduction

Improving cancer screening, training education, and prevention services across medically underserved areas, (MUA's) in Central Texas for health disparate populations has been the focus of significant and prolonged concern and is a priority for CPRIT.  Cancer is the second-leading cause of mortality in the U.S. and in Texas, with signficantly higher cancer-related mortality in rural regions and medically underserved populations.  Residents of rural and medically underserved Texas counties face significant barriers accessing healthcare and preventative services. They are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced or late-stage preventable cancer and, tragically, are less likely to survive even though cancer screening significantly reduces breast, cervical, colorectal, skin and liver cancer mortality.

Methods

Texas A&M's Nurse Practitioner, (NP), led rural health clinics, a team of NP faculty, family nurse practitioner (FNP) students, BSN students and bilingual community health workers (CHW's), have successfully participated in delivering over 662 comprehensive cancer screenings to low-income, uninsured women in Central Texas. The NP-led screenings include ultrasounds and breast biopsies. Cervical screening services offered include HPV vaccinations, Pap tests and advanced diagnostics, including colposcopies and loop electrosurgical excision procedures, (LEEPs). This has been made possible through generous grants from CPRIT, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, and the Discovery Foundation. 

Results

Beginning in 2016 to 2023, Texas A&M’s School of Nursing has partnered with CPRIT, Houston Methodist Neal Foundation, and the Discovery Foundation in providing low-income, uninsured women in central Texas with breast and cervical cancer screenings that have resulted in 587 abnormal results with 23 cancer diagnoses. Cervical cancer screenings have detected 368 abnormal results with 2 cancer diagnoses. Colorectal screenings have identified 1,293 abnormal results with 31 cancer diagnoses, and liver/bile duct cancer screenings have identified 5 abnormal results.

Conclusion

Conclusion:

This CPRIT-funded project demonstrates that Nurse Practitioner (NP) and BSN students are successfully addressing health equity issues in providing low-income residents of our state with primary care cancer screenings while providing 171 FNP and 206 BSN level clinical trainings in comprehensive cancer screening and are poised to continue this practice after graduation. Data suggests that FNPs will each practice for 20 years, and that this training will positively impact >100,000 Texas citizens, most of whom live below the poverty level and reside in rural areas,  thereby addressing cancer prevention. Future research, funding, and education should focus on training and engaging FNP’s to deliver culturally competent, cancer prevention, screening, and education while expanding partnerships with faith-based, educational, and community outreach organizations.