4331.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 9:00 PM

Abstract #30939

American Indian Breast Health: Using a culturally appropriate breast cancer

Agnes Attakai, MPA, Program Coordinator, Minority Cancer Prevention Program, Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, 2810 N. Alvernon Way, Suite 600, Tucson, AZ 85712, 520-318-7064, agnesa@u.arizona.edu, Anna Giuliano, PhD, Assistant Professor, College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Room 4977C, Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724-5024, and Sallie A Saltzman Seymour, EdM, Minority Cancer Prevention Program, Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, 2810 N. Alvernon Way, Suite 600, Tucson, AZ 85712.

With the exception of Alaska Native women, American India women have a lower incidence of breast cancer (31.6 per 100,000) as compared to US non-Hispanic white women (115.7 per 100,000). However, Native American women diagnosed with breast cancer have a lower 5 year survival rate (46%) than US white women (76%) . This lower survival rate appears to be, in part, a result of the detection of breast cancer at a later stage. To increase breast cancer survival, American Indian women need to be taught and encouraged to perform and receive routine breast cancer screening.

Caring For Arizona's American Indian Women's Health is a culturally appropriate video designed to educate American Indian women about breast cancer screening in the hopes that increased knowledge, and the presentation of screening methods with American Indian women in familiar settings will improve survival rates from breast cancer. It is presented by community health representatives (CHRs: multi-tribal, indigenous lay health educators) to teach women the importance and mechanics of breast cancer screening as well as the mechanism for accessing medical services. In an interactive session participants will view this video; discuss ways to help community women overcome barriers to screening and learn how to use this video as part of a culturally appropriate breast cancer education program.

This video was produced with monies awarded through grants from the Phoenix Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Learning Objectives: 1-Participants will be able to utilize the video "Caring For Arizona'a American Indian Women's Health" to lead discussions about overcoming barriers to breast cancer screening among American Indian women. 2-Participants will be able to identify ways of incorporating a culturally specific video and accompanying materials into a breast cancer education program for American Indian women.

Keywords: Community Education,

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.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA