A total of 270 Hispanic/Latino adults, age 50–80 years, participated in Spanish for all phases of
this pretest–posttest design. Patients were randomly assigned to a version of the multimedia program
that opened with either a positive or negative introductory appeal. Structured interviews assessed
screening relevant knowledge (anatomy and key terms, screening options, and risk information), past
screening behavior, willingness to consider screening options, intention to discuss CRC screening with
the doctor, and reactions to the multimedia patient education program.
Results: The multimedia program significantly increased knowledge of anatomy and key terms (e.g.,
polyp), primary screening options (FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy), and risk information as
well as willingness to consider screening (p < .001 for all). No significant differences emerged between
positive and negative introductory appeals on these measures, intention to discuss CRC screening with
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are increasing, but they are still low, particularly
in ethnic minority groups. In many resource-poor settings, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is the
main screening option.