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Teri N. Wilson, MS, Teresa D. Hill, PhD, Ann M. Biedenharn, RN, BSN, and Hans (J) Berkel, MD, PhD. Cancer Prevention Institute, 4100 South Kettering Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45439, 937-293-8508, wilson@cancerpreventioninstitute.org
Guided by the knowledge that women are often healthcare decision makers for their entire family, a program was designed to teach women about the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and the importance of screening. Eleven programs were conducted at nine sites, including one food pantry, two churches and six community/senior citizen centers, yielding 252 participants. Participants completed a PRE program survey (n=238) assessing demographic data and their knowledge of prostate cancer and the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) recommended screening guidelines. Over 65% of the participants were African-American and 73% were 40 years of age or older. Ninety-eight participants completed a POST survey three weeks after the program via mail or telephone interview. There was an 18% gain in the proportion of women who could correctly identify “annually” as the ACS-recommended prostate cancer screening interval. The “Take Charge” program also led to consistent improvements in women’s ability to correctly identify signs and symptoms associated with prostate cancer (pre vs. post): trouble urinating (64% vs. 74%); weak urine stream (41% vs. 58%); frequent urge to urinate (37% vs. 62%); and blood in urine (58% vs. 69%). Of the participants who completed the POST survey, 62% reported sharing the information they learned with a male loved one; 26% convinced him to attend screening; and four participants reported scheduling an appointment for their loved one. Conclusion: Educating women may be an effective strategy to increase (1) knowledge of prostate cancer and (2) screening rates among their male counterparts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Health Education Strategies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.