Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a bile duct cancer of the liver, is a major health concern in Northeast Thailand due to its high prevalence and poor prognosis. To address this challenge, the Vulnerable Individuals in Primary Care (VIP) Research Lab, led by Gina Agarwal, is collaborating with colleagues at Khon Kaen University to enhance the Community-based Health Education and Communication (CHEC) model for CCA prevention.
The team’s recent systematic review accepted in the Journal of Cancer Education, ‘Complex interventions for cancer and cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and applications for public education,’ examined 92 studies published between 2012 and 2024. These studies focused on multi-component, community-based cancer prevention interventions. The review identified five key components associated with successful outcomes: health education, participant engagement, reminders, patient support, and health influencers. Health education emerged as the most consistently used strategy.
These findings have directly informed the enhanced CHEC (eCHEC) model, ensuring that its implementation in Northeast Thailand is culturally relevant and responsive to community needs. This collaborative effort marks a meaningful step forward in the ongoing eCHEC Research Project to advance public health outcomes through community-driven and evidence-informed strategies.
PI: Gina Agarwal
Contact: Jasdeep Brar (brarj14@mcmaster.ca)
Research Project Update
Prison Health, Research Project Update