Colorectal Cancer Prevention in New Immigrant Women: A Pilot Study of an Educational Program to Fortify Food Literacy and Physical Activity

Purposes: (a) to educate new immigrant women (NIW) about Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening services provided by the Canadian health care system, and (b) to advance NIW’s knowledge on CRC prevention strategies, focusing on food literacy, eating habits, and physical activity.

Methods: A pretest-posttest design was used to examine the efficacy of an educational program. Four instruments were used to collect data. Fifty participants filled out the questionnaires before and after the program. Statistical analysis of Repeated Measures ANOVA was performed.

Results: The Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated that participants' knowledge significantly improved following the food safety educational program. Repeated Measures ANOVA also showed that the educational program had an effect on participants’ perceived behavioral control subscale on feeling about cancer and cancer screening and this effect lasted two months after the program. Furthermore, participants’ physical activity during their leisure time was gradually increasing from week 1 to 2 months after the educational program.

Conclusion: An educational program on food safety resulted in improved food safety knowledge for Chinese immigrants. Participants also have a better understanding of information related to healthy eating habits and colorectal cancer prevention and screening.