Promoting cancer screening in community pharmacies is feasible, provided barriers such as funding, privacy and follow-up are addressed. Pharmacies are accessible and pharmacists have trusting relationships with community members which makes community pharmacies an ideal setting.
Using Community Pharmacies to increase participation in bowel and breast screening
Summary
Aim
To identify the feasibility of the promotion and education of cancer screening in community pharmacies.
Research Questions:
1. What is the current knowledge, self-efficacy and capacity of community pharmacists practicing in the Metro South HHS catchment, in relation to discussing and promoting bowel and breast cancer screening with their customers (including the enablers and barrier they perceive)?
2. What are consumers’ views about receiving bowel and breast cancer screening information in community pharmacy settings?
Benefits
The findings from this research provides the evidence base for and guide the development of a pilot health promotion intervention in the Metro South Hospital and Health Service (HHS) catchment (with a view to rollout state-wide). It is envisaged this intervention will assist in engaging hard-to-reach priority populations, who may be at risk of cancer but less likely to participate in screening.
Background
Cancer is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia. There are national screening programs for bowel cancer and breast cancer, which are effective at reducing cancer mortality and morbidity. However, participation in these programs is only moderate. Because of their accessibility, community pharmacies are one setting where bowel and breast cancer screening may be promoted.