Supervisor:
Program of Study:
PhD in Medicine (Community Health & Humanities)
Project Title:
Do Age and Co-morbidity status affect colorectal cancer screening and screening outcomes among the elderly NL population?
Research Summary:
Cancer of the large intestine (colon) and rectum, known collectively as Colorectal Cancer
has become a major cause of disability and death in Canada. Today, colorectal cancer has become the third most common cancer among Canadians, the second cause of death from cancer in men and third among women. A high incidence rate of colorectal cancer has been reported in Newfoundland and Labrador and current estimates suggest that about 540 patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador every year.
Colorectal cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed early. Because of this, screening to detect colorectal cancer early has become the main public health strategy to minimize the effects of this cancer. As people age, they are exposed to widely different socioeconomic factors and the presence of multiple chronic conditions. This research is important because it intends to investigate whether any of these factors affect a person’s willingness to undergo cancer screening, and their chances of experiencing serious adverse effects or benefit from cancer screening.
The evidence from this research can help health administrators and policy makers to
design better colorectal screening guidelines and cancer interventions to reduce the cases of serious side effects and improve the benefits of cancer screening for individuals.
Scholarships and/or Awards:
-
- Cancer Research Training Program (CRTP) Traineeship Award 2022
-
- Aging Research Centre-Newfoundland and Labrador (ARC-NL) Graduate Fellowship Competition 2020
Career Aspirations:
My primary interest is in cancer-related research that informs evidenced-based and effective primary and/or secondary interventions at the population level. I am currently investigating factors associated with colorectal cancer screening uptake and outcomes as part of my doctoral thesis. By participating in the cancer research training program (CRTP) I hope to develop my research competencies and build strong networks that would help set me up on the pathway to succeeding as a cancer researcher.
Location:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Publications:
Shi, F., Shaver, L. G., Kong, Y., Yi, Y., Aubrey-Bassler, K., Asghari, S., Etchegary, H., Adefemi, K., & Wang, P. P. (2020). Sociodemographics and their impacts on risk factor awareness and beliefs about cancer and screening: results from a cross-sectional study in Newfoundland and Labrador. BMC public health, 20(1), 1513. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09616-2
Adewuyi, E. O., Auta, A., Khanal, V., Bamidele, O. D., Akuoko, C. P., Adefemi, K., Tapshak, S. J., & Zhao, Y. (2018). Prevalence and factors associated with underutilization of antenatal care services in Nigeria: A comparative study of rural and urban residences based on the 2013 Nigeria demographic and health survey. PLoS One, 13(5), e0197324. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197324
Adefemi, K., Yates, C., Awolaran, O., & Bakare, J. (2017). Effects of donor HIV/AIDS funding on primary healthcare delivery in southwest Nigeria: Evidence from hospital administrators. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 10(3), 160-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20479700.2016.1229900
Adefemi, K., & Awasthi, K. R. (2016). What Works? Review of Current Health Communication Strategies for Obesity Control. The International Journal of Communication and Health, 8, 80-85.