# Feasibility of Using College Students to Increase Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Their Parents

## TL;DR

This study explores how college students can encourage their parents to get cancer screenings, showing it is a feasible and promising approach.

## Contribution

It introduces college students as a novel and feasible channel to promote cancer screening among their parents and close adults.

## Key findings

- Approximately half of the college students who accepted the intervention engaged in cancer screening discussions with their parents.
- Most discussions occurred with mothers, and feedback from students was largely positive.
- Over half of eligible students accepted the intervention, indicating willingness to participate in such efforts.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
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.

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.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
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.

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.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers, and/or researchers in public health?
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.

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.

This study evaluated the feasibility of using college students to encourage cancer screening among their parents or other close adults. Methods: A sample of college students were surveyed on their willingness to discuss cancer screening with their parents and their perceived importance of cancer screening. Individuals reporting high levels (≥7/10) on each were offered a brief intervention (i.e., basic cancer screening information) and a follow-up survey. Results: A total of 189 students completed the baseline survey. A subset of 92 students met intervention criteria (49%), with 54 of 92 accepting (59%). Of those who accepted, 19 of 54 were reached at follow-up (35%). Roughly half of those reached engaged in cancer screening discussions with a parent, most speaking with their mother. Open-ended feedback was positive and commonly focused on the desire for additional knowledge. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that college students are a promising target for future intergenerational intervention work.