CANIMP conducted a multifaceted needs assessment at all stakeholder levels to:

(1) Identify gaps in existing cancer control strategies serving immigrant minority populations;
(2) Provide guidance to community education efforts; and
(3) Develop pilot research projects addressing the gaps and community education needs.

The needs assessment entailed the following activities:

Focus Groups

Focus groups were conducted with community members to assess cancer knowledge, attitudes, perceived needs, and coping and treatment mechanisms in the five immigrant groups. A total of 13 focus groups were held in the Haitian, Latino, English-speaking Caribbean, Korean, and Chinese communities. Focus groups were facilitated by rigorously trained CBO staff. Remarkable findings were elicited from the participants. For example, the word “trial” was “frightening” to the Chinese community members, and was cited as a reason for reluctance for participation in clinical trials. A detailed report on focus group findings has been prepared, and is being submitted for publication to Social Science and Medicine.

Roundtables

A series of 5 Roundtables was held with CANIMP stakeholders to a) educate the community about the state of cancer, education, services, and clinical trials in New York City; b) expand the CANIMP network; c) gather education and services resources; and d) identify gaps. Additional Roundtables with providers were held to a) identify institutional, systemic, cultural, and knowledge barriers to regular cancer screening for providers, health care workers, and community advocates involved in cancer control; and b) disseminate information about cancer screening, prevention, treatment, and research, including clinical trials, to the providers’ communities.

Community Physician Survey

Physician surveys were developed and administered to 100 evaluate attitudes and beliefs on community health education and outreach, clinical trial participation, and cancer screening among providers serving immigrant communities.

Educational Materials Review

An Educational Materials Review Tool was established by the Educational Materials Review and Development Subcommittee. An exhaustive review of all available materials on prostate, cervical, breast and lung cancer educational, materials, as well as on screening and clinical trials, available to immigrant minority communities was conducted. The materials were catalogued according to topic, language, and medium, and reviewed for accuracy, language, and visual appeal. Gaps in the available materials were documented in detail.