Disruptions in Oncology Care Confronted by Patients with Gynecologic Cancer Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico.

Background: In September 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria affected Puerto Rico (PR) and the US Virgin Islands (USVI), causing major disruptions in basic services and health care. This study documented the stressors and experiences of patients with gynecologic cancer receiving oncology care in PR following these hurricanes.

Methods: We conducted 4 focus groups (December 2018-April 2019) among women aged ≥21 years from PR who were diagnosed with gynecological cancer between September 2016 and September 2018 (n = 24).

Implementation and Outcomes of a Community-Based Educational Program for Colorectal Cancer Prevention in Hispanics.

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2 most diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer death in Puerto Rico. However, CRC screening rates remain low. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a Train-the-Trainers' (TTT) program to develop trainers capable of educating others within their communities about CRC prevention.

Capacity needs in community-based organizations for enhancing translational research in Puerto Rico.

Background: In an effort to form and sustain community-academic partnerships (CAPs) to enhance clinical and translational research, an assessment of needs for selecting and implementing evidence-based programs (EBPs) was conducted among a group of community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout Puerto Rico.

Methods: The survey was based on an instrument developed by the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network. It assessed specific service information, program selection/implementation processes, knowledge and perception of EBPs, funding venues, evaluation processes, and capacity and training needs.

Assessing awareness and use of evidence-based programs for cancer control in Puerto Rico.

The Community Cancer Control Outreach Program (CCCOP) is a community-academic partnership aimed at developing and implementing a cancer control outreach, research, and training program in Puerto Rico. The CCCOP surveyed 56 partners to assess their awareness, training needs, and use of resources related to evidence-based programs (EBPs). Despite relatively high levels (70 %) of confidence in adopting EBPs, there were low levels of awareness (37 %) and use (25 %) of existing EBPs resources.