4245.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 5:15 PM

Abstract #6570

Reaching South Asian American communities: Case studies of breast cancer screening programs

Salma N. Shariff-Marco, MPH, American Cancer Society, Queens Office, 97-77 Queens Blvd., Suite 1110, Rego Park, NY 11374, 718-263-2224 x28, sshariff@cancer.org and Zul H. Surani, BS, USC Norris Cancer Center, NCI's Cancer Information Service, 1441 Eastlake Ave. M/S 44, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9175, 323-865-0704, zsurani@usc.edu.

Asian American women have the lowest breast cancer screening rates in the US among all ethnicities. In addition, the Asian American population in the US has rapidly grown and diversified in the last decade. Within the Asian American communities, particularly in NYC and LA, the South Asian American communities have grown, almost exponentially in some cases, and diversified, not only by ethnicity, but by socioeconomic status, thus increasing the pool of uninsured persons.

Two breast cancer screening programs have responded to the needs of these growing and diverse underserved communities in NYC and LA, the South Asian Outreach Project at the American Cancer Society, Queens Office and the Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging, UCLA. Though established independently, the programs’ outreach models closely resemble each other with similar outcomes. By linking with the various leaders of these communities, and learning about and meeting the communities’ outreach needs, the two programs have been successful in educating and screening South Asian American women for breast cancer.

Learning Objectives: Teaching Objectives-- During the session, the presenters will discuss outreach strategies, both successful and unsuccesful, in educating and screening South Asian American women for breast cancer. An overview of South Asian American communities in NYC and LA will also be shared. Learning Objectives-- Participants will be able to do the following at the completion of the session: 1. List 5 outreach strategies that will help them increase the participation of South Asian Americans in their programs 2. Recognize collaborative opportunities with the South Asian American communities

Keywords: Asian Americans, Breast Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, Queens Office & Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging, UCLA
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA