Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents
Highlights
- Interval cancer screening represents one of the most powerful methods we have for mitigating cancer-related morbidity and mortality.
- A substantial proportion of individuals eligible for screening and not up-to-date with recommended screenings.
- New methods of intervention are needed to reach the segment of eligible individuals who are not up-to-date with screenings.
- Family members represent an available and important resource that has largely been unused in efforts to increase cancer screening.
- College students are highly willing to talk with parents and other adults about cancer screening if the needed information is provided to them.
- Intervening with college students using online materials is feasible and potentially effective at reaching unscreened parents and other close adults.
Abstract
1. Introduction
Study Objectives
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Participants
2.2. Measures
2.2.1. Baseline
2.2.2. Follow-Up
2.3. Procedure
2.4. Plan of Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Sample Characteristics
3.2. Willingness to Speak with Family Members About Cancer Screening
3.3. Eligibility and Acceptance of Intervention/Follow-Up
3.4. Follow-Up Completion and Outcomes
3.4.1. Participants Who Engaged in Conversations
3.4.2. Participants Who Did Not Engage in Conversations
4. Discussion
5. Limitations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Mean | Standard Deviation | Frequency | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age in Years | 18.9 | 1.1 | ||
| Female Sex | 126 | 67% | ||
| Race | ||||
| White | 136 | 72% | ||
| Black | 23 | 12% | ||
| Asian | 10 | 5% | ||
| Native American | 6 | 3% | ||
| Multi-racial | 8 | 4% | ||
| Unknown/Refused | 6 | 3% | ||
| Hispanic Ethnicity | 30 | 16% | ||
| Class Status | ||||
| Freshmen | 110 | 58% | ||
| Sophomore | 47 | 25% | ||
| Junior | 25 | 13% | ||
| Senior | 7 | 4% | ||
| Presence of a Mother Figure | 180 | 95% | ||
| Presence of a Father Figure | 163 | 86% |
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Abar, C.C.; Kayser, L.R.; Lewis, A.; Randolph, H.; Abar, B. Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020246
Abar CC, Kayser LR, Lewis A, Randolph H, Abar B. Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2026; 23(2):246. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020246
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbar, Caitlin C., Logan Robert Kayser, Amanda Lewis, Hannah Randolph, and Beau Abar. 2026. "Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23, no. 2: 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020246
APA StyleAbar, C. C., Kayser, L. R., Lewis, A., Randolph, H., & Abar, B. (2026). Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(2), 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020246
