Since 1994, the North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program (NC-BCSP) has implemented a lay health advisor (LHA) intervention to increase breast cancer screening among older, African American women. As part of their efforts to raise awareness about the importance of routine mammography, many LHAs wear a specially designed beaded necklace. The necklace consists of 6 wooden beads of graduated sizes strung on leather cord. Each bead represents the size of a breast lump that can be detected by various screening methods (i.e., occasional breast self exam (BSE), routine BSE, annual clinical breast exam, first mammogram, occasional mammography, and routine mammography). A card attached to the necklace serves as a mini-curriculum explaining the significance of each bead and the importance of early detection.
LHAs cite the necklace as their favorite tool for educating women about mammography. They believe it is an effective "conversation starter," and conveys their message in ways that words cannot. The necklace offers a hands-on approach that helps women quickly understand and internalize the relevance of mammography.
Use of the beaded necklace is not limited to NC-BCSP's network. Managed care organizations (HMOs) as well as voluntary and community-based projects across the United States have successfully adopted it for use with diverse populations, occasionally varying the necklace design and shifting its focus from mammography to other screening methods. The versatility of the necklace has important implications for the development and use of persuasive and culturally-sensitive health education materials.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Education Strategies, Mammography
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.