Telenovela: an innovative colorectal cancer screening health messaging tool.

Background: Alaska Native people have nearly twice the rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality as the US White population.

Objective: Building upon storytelling as a culturally respectful way to share information among Alaska Native people, a 25-minute telenovela-style movie, What's the Big Deal?, was developed to increase CRC screening awareness and knowledge, role-model CRC conversations, and support wellness choices.

Design: Alaska Native cultural values of family, community, storytelling, and humor were woven into seven, 3-4 minute movie vignettes.